Podcasts about Thanksgiving

Can goal attainment really be effortless? Yes! How? I'm sharing a science backed and real life proven strategy to, yes, attain your goals effortlessly with environment modification. Last week I told you to write everything down. Now what?  Your Brain On Paper If you were a good lil student, you have started to write down all of your interruptive thoughts. Stop trying to remember everything, just write it down! Now you have all of these thoughts on paper, your brain on paper and you may be overwhelmed.  The next step, is to decide can it wait till Sunday? If so, pop that baby into the Sunday Basket® for safe keeping until it can't wait. If not, add it to your to do list for the day. If you find you are always saying yes it can wait, but you don't have a lot of motivation to get it accomplished, it's ok to toss it. Our goals, energy, money, where we live, stage of family life, our house, and other factors change projects we want to do. You aren't going to get it all done because you aren't getting it all done now. Let yourself off the hook for projects you are not longer interested in finishing.  Evolution of Systems Our families are ever changing and I was reminded of this during my grand-turnity. Abby had her baby and I am home more helping to take care of her and my grandsons. I don't cook. But I do make Thanksgiving dinner. I thought it would be nice  to make until Greg pointed out that had I just asked Greg to do it, he would have. I abdicated cooking many years ago. Greg is used to cooking and didn't appreciate me taking up space in the fridge while the turkey defrosted. You see, back in the day saving money was the goal. My cooking and grocery shopping "reality" is from those days but our family has changed. I picked up a couple of turkeys while they were cheap around Thanksgiving knowing I'd be home after Abby had the baby. But I don't grocery shop or cook anymore. I could have saved a lot of my time and money had I just let Greg do it if  I had just thought about today's reality of my family dynamics and roles. Ok the next thing to consider is your environment. First, do you still need the blender on the counter? You know it's not about the actual blender, it's just an appliance or thing you may have on the counter that you are no longer using. Smoothies may have been an everyday thing that is no longer. I moved ours to the basement, sometimes I forget, I should just pop a lil note inside the cupboard to remind me. I mean, no one is looking in my cupboards. Is your environment supporting your current goals? Could you modify your environment to better support your goals?  Decluttering and Organizing Surfaces Thoughts I realized when I wanted to start adding collagen to my coffee that my environment was not set up to support my goals. I had about 9 steps to make my coffee, I'd get to my car and realize I had forgotten the collagen.  If you are trying to lose weight, remove the cookies and put fruit in that same place. You can't eat what is not in your house. And you can't rely solely on willpower. AND it signals cues to your brain about your new goals. Science shows that when your environment is modified you can attain your goals effortlessly. As you realize what you want to modify you will need to declutter and organize that space.  The Productive Home Solution may bring light to spaces you want to modify and it will walk you through the decluttering and functionality of that space. There is a caveat here. You will have more success if you have the foundation of the Sunday Basket® established because you will already be in the habit of writing down interruptive thoughts. I went through the thought process of setting up a coffee station. In moving things around, it brought to light the cup/bottle situation for my grandsons. I wrote things down and will take action on a Sunday. The time you spend modifying your spaces to match your goals will give back time to your future self. Then the systems you put in place will simply need to be maintained. The synergy between The Sunday Basket and The Productive Home Solution will have you saving time, cognitively offloading, gaining support for your goals and making better choices too! EPISODE RESOURCES: The Sunday Basket® The Productive Home Solution Sign Up for the Organize 365® Newsletter  Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Share this episode with a friend and be sure to tag Organize 365® when you share on social media

For millions of serious eaters the Super Bowl has turned into a food event almost on a par with Thanksgiving. With the Super Bowl coming up we thought it would be fun and edifying to reheat last year's Super Bowl episode featuring Kenji Lopez-Alt giving serious eaters sage advice about making pizza and wings at home. I've had Kenji's wings and his pan pizza, and they are both seriously delicious and pretty simple to make. We should note that Kenji is no sports fan. In all the years I've known him I can't remember one conversation about sports. But maybe as a resident of Seattle he has found a reason to root for the Seahawks.  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

It's February. We've survived Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's which means there's only one thing left to do… Start talking HHN 35! After months of tiny breadcrumbs and whispered rumors floating around the HHN universe, today's the day we finally dive in. Is Stranger Things actually making a comeback? Could HHN land a potential Oscar-winning movie this year? Is Jack back?....again Only time will tell… but it's officially rumor season, and we're talking ALL about it. Let's get into it. 

Welcome back to another episode of the unSeminary podcast. Today we're talking with Jeremy Baker, Lead Pastor of Elevate Life Church in Connecticut. In just over three years, Elevate Life has grown from 70 people to more than 2,000 weekly attendees, becoming one of the fastest-growing churches in the country—especially remarkable in a region widely known as spiritually resistant and unchurched. Jeremy shares the honest, behind-the-scenes story of how God has moved, and what his team has learned about loving people well, building invite culture, and helping people take meaningful steps in their spiritual journey. Is explosive growth possible in spiritually dry regions? How do churches keep the focus on people instead of preferences as momentum builds? Jeremy offers a refreshing reminder that growth is less about formulas and more about faithfulness. Humble beginnings and a clear calling. // Jeremy and his wife left a comfortable ministry role at a large church in Dallas after sensing God's call to the Northeast—one of the least churched regions in North America. With no church-planting playbook and their personal savings on the line, they launched Elevate Life with high expectations and a large marketing push. When only 70 people showed up on launch day, disappointment could have ended the story. Instead, it became the starting point. Jeremy describes the journey as a “God deal” from the beginning—marked by prayer, obedience, and a willingness to go after people rather than polish programs. Loving people from the street to the seat. // One of Elevate Life's defining values is making people feel seen, heard, and celebrated. Jeremy believes every person walks in carrying an invisible sign that says, “See me.” That belief shapes their entire guest experience. From banner-waving parking lot teams to outdoor tents for first-time guests (even in winter), the church treats arrival as sacred ground. Volunteers walk guests through the building, help with kids check-in, offer tours, and even escort people to their seats. The intentional warmth sends a clear message: you matter here. Taking people where they are. // With nearly 4,000 first-time guests in a single year, Elevate Life assumes nothing about biblical knowledge or spiritual maturity. Rather than pushing people toward instant maturity, the church focuses on meeting people where they are. Grow Track, life groups, and clear next steps help people move forward at a sustainable pace. Jeremy warns that churches often forget how far they've traveled spiritually—and unintentionally expect newcomers to keep up. Invite culture that never lets up. // Elevate Life's growth hasn't come from direct mail or massive ad budgets. Jeremy says he'll never do mailbox ads again. Instead, growth flows from a relentless invite culture. Every service, hallway conversation, life group, and ministry environment reinforces the same message: Who are you bringing? Invite cards, QR codes, social media ads, and consistent language keep invitation top of mind. Jeremy believes repetition—not creativity—is the secret. Reaching people over protecting preferences. // As the church has doubled in size, Jeremy is vigilant about guarding its mission. Growth brings new pressures—parking shortages, crowded services, limited space—but he resists shifting focus inward. If churches aren’t careful, they’ll trade purpose for preferences,. Elevate Life's mission—making heaven more crowded—keeps the team outwardly focused. Jeremy regularly reminds leaders that people are not problems to solve; they are people to pastor. A challenge for church leaders. // Jeremy closes with a simple encouragement to pastors: love people deeply, steward what God has given you, and don't lose sight of why you started. Churches don't grow because they chase growth—they grow when leaders refuse to give up on people. In regions others have written off spiritually, God is still moving—and often through ordinary leaders who simply refuse to stop caring. To learn more about Elevate Life Church, visit elevatelifect.com or follow them on Instagram @elevatelifect. Thank You for Tuning In! There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, but you chose unSeminary, and I'm grateful for that. If you enjoyed today's show, please share it by using the social media buttons you see at the left hand side of this page. Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes, they're extremely helpful when it comes to the ranking of the show and you can bet that I read every single one of them personally! Lastly, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live! Thank You to This Episode’s Sponsor: Portable Church Your church is doing really well right now, and your leadership team is looking for solutions to keep momentum going! It could be time to start a new location. Maybe you have hesitated in the past few years, but you know it's time to step out in faith again and launch that next location. Portable Church has assembled a bundle of resources to help you leverage your growing momentum into a new location by sending a part of your congregation back to their neighborhood on Mission. This bundle of resources will give you a step-by-step plan to launch that new or next location, and a 5 minute readiness tool that will help you know your church is ready to do it! Click here to watch the free webinar “Launch a New Location in 150 Days or Less” and grab the bundle of resources for your church! Episode Transcript Rich Birch — Hey friends, welcome to the unSeminary podcast. Pumped that you have decided to tune in today. We’ve got a very good conversation. I’m really looking forward to leaning in and learning from this leader and the story that God’s been writing at his church in the last two and a half years.Rich Birch — Elevate Church in Connecticut has grown from 70 people to over 2,000 on a weekly basis. It’s been named one of the fastest growing churches in the country. I love their mission and purpose is really simple: making heaven more crowded. Today we’ve got Jeremy Baker with us. He is the lead pastor. Jeremy, welcome to the show. So glad you’re here.Jeremy Baker — Thank you so much for having me. So excited. And what a great privilege and honor to be on on live with you today. So thank you.Rich Birch — Yeah, I’m excited that to unpack this story a little bit. It is not normal for a church to grow from 70 to 2000 in any part of the country, but even more so in Connecticut. I can say as a guy who served in New Jersey, I’m Canadian, you know – don’t hold that against against me. Jeremy Baker — Let’s go.Rich Birch — So I understand the spiritual context that you’re in a little bit. But why don’t you unpack the story? Kind of tell us a little bit what’s gone on over these last couple of years. For folks that don’t know, tell us about the kind of spiritual, you know, climate in Connecticut. Talk us through those issues.Jeremy Baker — Yeah, I first of all, it’s a God deal all the way. And I know a lot of people are asking me, hey, give me some handles, what’s some formulas, what’s some how-tos.Rich Birch — Right.Jeremy Baker — I’m just blown away by what God’s done. And I think it’s really just the heartbeat of God is going after his people and serving the community really well. So we’re in an area, I’m 30 minutes away from Yale University.Rich Birch — Okay.Jeremy Baker — I’m not too far away from New Haven, Connecticut. I’m in in a town about 100,000 people. Rich Birch — Wow.Jeremy Baker — Matter of fact, the building is actually in between two cities. Rich Birch — Okay. Jeremy Baker — The building is divided right down in half. One half being, yeah, it’s crazy. One half being Meriden, one half being a town called Wallingford. And so in those two cities is about 100,000 people. Rich Birch — Okay. Jeremy Baker — So three and a half years ago, I’m working at a big church in Dallas, Texas, mega-world, mega-church, on staff, XP, and the Lord just pressed on our heart, me and my wife that we’re comfortable. We’re we’re living the good life, we’re living the Dallas life, the big Texas life, and there’s more, you know. And nothing wrong with that, nothing wrong with the Dallas life, the big life, the Texas life, nothing wrong with big churches – God loves this, the capital “C” church, you know. And so long story short, prayed for about a year, and we said, we’re going to the Northeast. Rich Birch — Wow. Jeremy Baker — This is where my wife is originally from, the Connecticut region, this area, actually called a little town called North Haven. And we’re going to go back up here because there’s a group of people that need the Lord. And, you know, the Northeast, New Jersey, you know, New York, Maine, Vermont, Pennsylvania, these kind of, this region up here in this New England region is ah is an unchurched region. Rich Birch — Yes.Jeremy Baker — There’s great people that are God-fearing people, great good Bible-believing churches, but there’s it’s not known as a Southern, you know, Christianity. Rich Birch — Yep.Jeremy Baker — Like everybody goes to church in the South, but up here, it’s a little different region. So we came up here. We didn’t know how to plant a church, honestly.Rich Birch — Love it.Jeremy Baker — I’m just giving you all the honest, the the real, real.Rich Birch — Yes.Jeremy Baker — I wish I could tell you that I wrote the book on it and I know how to do everything perfectly. Rich Birch — Love itJeremy Baker — But i could I could tell you every horror story what not to do, you know? So we we pulled out our life savings and we started a church and we had 70 people on our launch date. Rich Birch — Wow. And we put about $100,000 into our launch date thinking we would have… Rich Birch — Wow. Jeremy Baker — …you know, 800 people, a thousand people are going to show up. We put mailers in everybody’s mailbox. So long story short, we had 70 people. Rich Birch — Wow, wow.Jeremy Baker — And then out of that, we have just been going after our city. Out of that, we have just been reaching people, inviting people to God’s house, serving our community, clean days, outreaches, food ministry, backpack giveaways, Christmas, Thanksgiving. I mean, just every major holiday, we have just attacked our community. And this last week, we had over 2,400 people in attendance.Rich Birch — Wow. Wow. Praise God. Jeremy Baker — And and so in three and a half years, it’s just been wild. And there’s so much in that story I could tell you.Rich Birch — Right.Jeremy Baker — But that’s kind of been from where we were, planning humble beginnings. God, what do you want to do? And it’s not about the size of a church, as you know, because I know there’s great churches out there that are ministering very well to the size that is in their community, and they’re doing a really good job shepherding people, caring for people.Jeremy Baker — But it’s just, you know, I always believe, God, let me not mess this up. Lord, if I can steward this well, you’ll keep bringing them to me. And so we have a brand new team, new staff. I like to call us the the misfits of Toy Island, if I could use the if i could if i could use the Christmas kind of you know… Rich Birch — Yes. Jeremy Baker — …thought process, you know. We don’t know what we’re doing, but we’re loving people well. We’re serving. We’re discipling to the best of our ability. We’re preaching the full gospel now. I don’t want people to think that we’re not preaching the gospel.Rich Birch — Yeah.Jeremy Baker — We’re preaching from Genesis to Revelations, and we’re preaching the whole Bible, the whole council. And but that’s kind of that’s a little bit of kind of like how the beginning happened, but it’s been wild.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s cool.Jeremy Baker — It’s been wild, man.Rich Birch — Yeah. And I know, you know, we know that, well, all of our churches, you know, they they have the impact they do because God chooses to use what we’re doing at the end of the day. It’s got nothing to with us. It’s got everything to do with him. Jeremy Baker — Right. Rich Birch — But he is choosing to use something that you’re you’re doing. He’s clearly blessing something. He’s working through something. When you step back and think about the last couple of years, two or three years, What would be some of the things that you’ve seen him use that are like, hmm, this seems to be a part of the equation of what he’s pulling together.Rich Birch — And that’s not from a like, hey, we want to replicate all this, but it’s like, hey, here’s here’s your story. This is what God seems to be using in your context to reach your people. What would be some of those things that bubble up to your mind?Jeremy Baker — Yeah, great question. I would think the first thing for us is people want to be seen. People in the world that we live in today want to know that someone cares about them, that someone loves them.Jeremy Baker — We like to say it around here. We have little cultural sayings. We see you. We hear you. We celebrate you. We see you, we hear you, we celebrate you. I love what Mary Kay said, the the makeup organization. She had a quote, and if I can quote her right, she said, everybody has an invisible sign around their neck that says, see me. Jeremy Baker — And and I think it’s important. I think it’s real important that we see people the way God sees them. You know, for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever would believe in him. So the whole thing is about seeing people the way God sees them, not seeing them through their lens of brokenness or through the lens of maybe a divorce or the pain or the regret or the shame. No, we got to see them through the grace and the mercy of God, through through what Jesus wants to do in their life. So we’re just loving people really well from the street, if I could say it like this, because I know it’s been said in church conferences, but from the street to the seat, we’re just loving people really well, you know, how to how to make people feel like they’re the big deal. Rich Birch — Right, right.Jeremy Baker — You know, that God does love them. So that would be probably one thing that I would say would kind of be our bread and butter of just loving people well… Rich Birch — Yes. Jeremy Baker — …helping people find hope, especially in a season like this, you know, holiday season. It’s like, a you know, a lot of people are hopeless and we need to give hope to people. And so that would be a big thing. Jeremy Baker — I say think the second thing I would say is taking people on the spiritual journey where they’re at. You know, I’ve been a ministry for 30 years. My dad’s a pastor. So I’ve been in church for a long time. And I think sometimes, you know, we can as as as church kids, or if I could say it that way, or church people, we are called the shepherd. We’re called to minister. We’re called the guide. But sometimes we want people to be on the road that we’re on. And and they don’t realize… Rich Birch — That’s so true. Jeremy Baker — …we have we have we have been on this journey for a long time. There’s been a lot of going to the mat, dealing with us, God doing a work in us. Like David said in Psalms 51, Lord, create me a clean heart. Help me help me grow, Lord, as a leader, as a mature, you know. Put away childish things. I, you know, I want to grow. So so we’re taking people on their journey. Okay, you’re new to faith, so we need to start you on this road or this path, if I could say, you know. Oh, you’ve been walking with God for three years. Okay, we’ve got to make sure that you know some of the foundations, some of the basics. Rich Birch — Right.Jeremy Baker — You know I think that’s been some of our greatness of helping people stick, find community, be a part. So those are, I think those are two things. Understanding people need to be seen. And the second one is taking them on a journey of where they’re at, you know?Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s good. I love that. The let’s let’s unpack that a little bit. I’d love to start with the loving people well thing – a little bit more detail. Jeremy Baker — Yeah.Rich Birch — When you say that, so what does that mean from the street to the seat? How are you how do you feel like, oh, this is something that Elevate Life’s doing well to love people as they’re coming, as they’re arriving, as they’re a part of what’s going on at the church?Jeremy Baker — Yeah, so great. So for me, it’s going to be guest experience. Rich Birch — Yep.Jeremy Baker — What does it look like when people pull on your parking lot? You know, do we have parking lot – we don’t call them attendants. We call them parking lot banner wavers. Rich Birch — Yeah. Yeah. Love it.Jeremy Baker — They’re waving a banner, a blessing over your car. Now, it’s going to be a little charismatic a little bit. There’s going to be a little bit of a, you know, my background is, you know, is I’m I’m very very energetic, very enthusiastic…Rich Birch — Sure.Jeremy Baker — …passionate as a leader. So I want people to know it’s a big deal that you’re on property today. Rich Birch — Right.Jeremy Baker — It’s a really big deal that you brought your family, that you showed up. You didn’t have to show up. You didn’t have to be here. You could have stayed home. You could have did what you wanted to do, but you gave God some time today. And so what we do is we we we we really pray that as the tires hit the parking lot, that miracles take place in people’s lives.Jeremy Baker — Whatever that miracle might be, miracle of salvation. A miracle of of of a mindset change, a miracle of restoration. So banner wavers in the parking lot, loving on people. Jeremy Baker — We have a team called the Impact Team that’s in the parking lot. They’re what we call our first time guest experience connection moments. So when they when there’s tents outside, of course, even in the winter, we got tents outside with heaters outside. You know, we just got four inches of snow the other day, but they’re still outside.Jeremy Baker — So the commitment from our servant leaders is there. The commitment from our staff is there, just to make people seen and feel loved. So as they’re walking into the property, if they’re a first time guest, our team has been trained how to identify a first time people, even with the amount of people that are coming. And they’ll walk up to them and just say, so glad you’re here.Jeremy Baker — Is this your first time? No, I’ve been here for about a month. OK, do you need anything? How can I serve you? How can we help you? Do you know how to check your kids in? Or, hey, can i can I walk you to your seat? I mean, we literally have a team over 100 plus people that are helping people walk into a building… Rich Birch — Wow.Jeremy Baker — …get a free get a get a cup of coffee, find them to their seat, make them feel loved. If they’re new, hey, let me take you on an experience tour is what we call it, an experience tour. You’re walking into a brand new building. You’ve never been into the building before. You know, lot of churches, it’s all love, but might not have the right signage of communication of where restrooms are, kids check-in nurseries, nursing mother’s room, you know, special needs, whatever. So we have these people that go and walk these people through this building. And, you know, we don’t have a large building. We’re we’re adding on to our building, but we’re about 28,000 square feet.Rich Birch — Okay.Jeremy Baker — And so even in that size, you know, you can get lost in a building that size… Rich Birch — Right, right. Jeremy Baker — …you you know, especially where there’s hallways and doorways you don’t know. And so we’re having people walk through. And then people walk up all the way to their seat.Rich Birch — Wow.Jeremy Baker — And then when they’re in their seat, we got people that are on the host team, which we’d call modern day ushers. We call them host team members. They just walking up to them. Hey, good to see you. How you doing? Good morning before service starts.Rich Birch — I love that. Yes.Jeremy Baker — So we’re creating this we’re creating this interaction culture. Now, if you’re introverted, I’ll be honest with you, it’s going to be hard. It’s going to be hard, man.Rich Birch — Yes.Jeremy Baker — It’s going to be hard. If you’re more introverted in your personality and your style, you’re going to feel overloaded at a level, you know what I’m saying?Rich Birch — Yes.Jeremy Baker — So so that that’s some of the feedback we get.Jeremy Baker — Like, hey, I love the church… Rich Birch — It’s a little much. Jeremy Baker — …but I got 18 people talking to me, man, before I even find a seat. And it’s like, I get it, I get it, I get it. But, you know, we just want you to feel seen and feel loved. So that’s part of what we do.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s very cool. I love that.Jeremy Baker — Yeah.Rich Birch — Super practical. That’s cool. And then I like this idea of talking to people where they’re at. I think that can be a concern we run into or a it’s like we’re not even aware that in our our churches we’re we’re we’re using language or or we’re assuming everyone’s at a certain place. What does that look like for you at Elevate Life? How are you helping? Because that’s a lot of people in a short period of time to both get to know and then also try to communicate in a way that actually connects with where they’re at. Talk us through what do you mean by that when you say we’re trying to talk to people where they’re at in their spiritual journey?Jeremy Baker — Yeah, so if it so if you’re new, let me just give you context. This year alone, in 2025, we’ve had 3,919 first-time guests walk through our doors. Rich Birch — That’s great.Jeremy Baker — This year alone. Rich Birch — Yep. Jeremy Baker — So for us, we know as a new plant, as a new church, we’re going to have to really walk people through this spiritual journey. Some of these people maybe have some form of God, maybe they have been walking with God. Maybe they’ve been out of church since, you know, let’s just talk about pre, know, after or during COVID. Maybe they haven’t been back to God’s house because that’s really real in the Northeast. Rich Birch — Yeah.Jeremy Baker — I mean, some people are just now coming back to church in the Northeast that have not been in church for the last four years. You know, it’s like, oh yeah, I’ve been out of church for about three and a half years and I’m just now getting back into the rhythm of getting back in my faith.Jeremy Baker — So there’s so much I can talk about that. Like how how do we make our services flow? Like I always introduce introduce myself, hey, my name is Jeremy, and I have the privilege to pastor this church, and I just want to say welcome. If if this is your, you know, 52nd welcome this year or if this is your first welcome, I just want to say welcome. Rich Birch — Yes.Jeremy Baker — Because i want I want them to know that we’re real, that we’re authentic, and we want to help them on their spiritual journey. Rich Birch — It’s good.Jeremy Baker — So we offer stuff like, you know, first-time, you know, decision, if you made a first time decision, let’s go, let’s go into, you know, who is Jesus? You know, what does Jesus, you know, want to do in your life? So there’s, there’s, there’s classes, there’s paths that we offer there. Jeremy Baker — Grow track, you know, we have grow track that we offer every month. Hey, hey, won’t we want to teach you a little bit more about faith, who Elevate Life is, what, what our mission is, what our vision is, what, what the values of our church is. And so we walk them through that.Jeremy Baker — And then, and then what we have is we have life groups. And these life groups are from all different walks. Deep dive of Revelation, deep studies of the Old Testament. Or, hey, we’re just going to go through the book of John. We’re just going to start in John 1 and learn what Jesus, you know, who Jesus is. And we’re to start there. Or if you’re more intellectual, we’re going to go a little bit deeper. You know, so we we we we we have these these life groups, we call them, because we’re Elevate Life. So we call them life groups. We want we want these groups to bring life to people.Jeremy Baker — And and so ah so we just we we have people, we encourage them to sign up, to get involved. That’s our conversations always in the hallways. Hey, are you are you serving on a team? Are you in a life group? Here’s here’s why. The goal for me is not just gathering large crowds. The goal for me as as a shepherd, I would just say as ah as as the lead pastor now in this season of my life, is is to help people develop spiritually… Rich Birch — Yeah, so good. Yeah, definitely. Jeremy Baker — …to help people find their personal walk with God, not just come and hear a good word. You know, motivating, it’s inspiring, it’s it’s helpful. Yes, it’s practical. I’ve got handles I can live my life by throughout the week. But my my heart is, don’t just take a Sunday and give it to God, but give God every day of your life. Rich Birch — So good.Jeremy Baker — You know, sometimes we just turn the surrender switch on on Sunday, not realizing the surrender switch needs to be on every day of the week.Rich Birch — Amen. So true.Jeremy Baker — So I’ve got to turn that surrender switch on every day. And just like you a natural thought when you turn the light switch on when you’re in the room, you turn it off when you leave the room. Well, a lot of people look at church that way. I’m going to turn my surrender switch on today. It’s Sunday. I’m going to go to God’s house. And then on when they leave Sunday, they leave away the property. They pull away. The surrender switch turns off. And I think that’s where the consumer mindset, especially in the Western part of the country… Rich Birch — Sure. Jeremy Baker — …you know, we have gotten, you know, we’re, we’re inundated with consumerism. Rich Birch — Yes.Jeremy Baker — And so, and so how, do how do we help people really become disciples of of Christ? So the second part of our mission statement is making disciples that follow Jesus. So the goal is making heaven more crowded, but making disciples that follow Jesus.Rich Birch — So good. That’s great. Let’s talk about a bit like up the funnel a little bit, like at the top end, where, how are people learning about Elevate Life? You talked about when you launched, you did a bunch of marketing stuff. Has that continued to happen? Is this just like, you’re really good at Facebook ads? Help me understand. What does that look like? How, why is the church growing?Jeremy Baker — Yeah, great question. I personally, I will never do an ad in a mailbox again. That was $25,000 that I think one person showed up, and then we had a bunch of them ripped up and mailed back to us and told us to never mail them and again. It’s the funniest story.Rich Birch — Wow. Yes.Jeremy Baker — Yeah, so it’s it’s all good. It’s it’s it’s this is not the South. I’m a Texas guy, and I’m living in the New England region, and it’s it’s night and day, you know.Rich Birch — Yes. Yes.Jeremy Baker — So what we have done really well at, I believe, causes some of the growth to happen is two things, is every week we’re encouraging people to invite somebody. That is a part of our culture. Invite culture. Who you bringing? Who do you know that’s far from God that needs the Lord right now? Who do you know that’s far from Him that you know that that you could bring?Jeremy Baker — So then the second thing is we’re doing really good social media ads. We’re spending about $1,500 a month on social media ads. And our team has done a phenomenal job. And all my team is 19, 20, 21, and 22-year-old young men and women that are running all of my social media.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s great.Jeremy Baker — I’m 50. I want to act like I’m current. But I’m not. You know, there’s things I don’t, I’m not adverse in. There’s things that are constantly changing with technology.Rich Birch — Sure. Yeah, sure.Jeremy Baker — And and and I just got to trust this younger generation.Rich Birch — Yep.Jeremy Baker — And they have done a phenomenal job.Rich Birch — Yeah.Jeremy Baker — That’s been one of our huge success for us to put us on the map in this region, to put us, make us aware.Rich Birch — Let’s pull it, but pull apart both of those. When you say you’re encouraging people every week, so you’re like ringing the bell that I want to hear churches to hear more of. You’re inviting people every week to invite their friends. Give us a sense. What does that look like? How are you doing that every single week? What’s that look like?Jeremy Baker — Yeah, so part of that is in our services. It’s in language. Rich Birch — Yep. Jeremy Baker — You know, we always say, you know thank you for being here this morning. We pray that you have brought somebody with you. And then at the end of our service, we’re saying, hey, don’t forget to invite somebody back next week. So we’re always saying that in our language. So it’s become part of our our culture. It’s become part of of who we are as a church. We are a bringer church. We are an inviting church. We are a reach the lost church. We are the great commission. Because the goal for us is not just giving information, but we’re hoping that the people will receive the information that causes some type of revelation in their own spirit that leads them to the Great Commission. Rich Birch — That’s good.Jeremy Baker — Because we want them to be a part of what Jesus said. He you know he said in in Matthew 10, he goes, the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. You know. Pray to the Lord of the harvest that he would send more laborers. So we are we are Ephesians 4, equipping the church to do the work of the ministry. We are we have to encourage people to build the local community of the church, the local house of God. And so that’s part of our language in our hallways. We have really practical things. We have invite card stands everywhere. Invite card stands everywhere. So simple. We have QR codes. You can scan. You can download all kinds of invite information. Rich Birch — Yeah.Jeremy Baker — You can invite our service times. So really practical steps like that have really helped us. And then in our life groups, it’s in it’s being said. In our midweek services, it’s being said. We do eight services a week. So that’s what we’re doing right now, eight services a week. And and and so in every service, it’s just been indoctrinated. Rich Birch — Yes.Jeremy Baker — It’s been just repetition, you know, over and over and over. Rich Birch — Yep. Jeremy Baker — And then And I think that’s a big part of why God’s allowed us to… Honestly, I don’t know church any other way. Rich Birch — Right. Sure.Jeremy Baker — I personally don’t know church any other way. I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer.Rich Birch — I don’t know about that.Jeremy Baker — I’m just I know I’m just appreciate the love. I mean I I’m a guy who barely graduated from seminary. I barely graduated, you know. I was like everybody looked at me, all the professors, like, oh, man. I hope you make it. You know, it’s like, it’s like one of those guys, it’s like, I just, I just love people well. And I want people to know Jesus. I mean, Jesus changed my life. I mean, he changed my life. He, he did something in me that no one ever has ever done or no one could ever do. And my life is I’m indebted to him.Jeremy Baker — I’m I’m living my whole life for him. That’s why 30 years of working through whatever I’ve got to work through in ministry and working through stuff as a as a young man, now as an older man. I’ve just stayed the course, stayed faithful. Not perfect, but stayed faithful, step moving forward every season of my life. And so I just love people well, and I think people hear the heart of that through our pastoral team, through our elders. Rich Birch — Sure. Jeremy Baker — They hear the heart of loving people well, that we want people to find Christ. So that’s the language I think helped us in this last season, you know, really in this last season, really grow. A year ago, a year ago, this time, we only ran, not not only, it’s great, but we were around about 900 people a year ago.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s crazy.Jeremy Baker — And then it’s last year, we’ve exploded.Rich Birch — Yep.Jeremy Baker — We’ve doubled our church.Rich Birch — Yeah.Jeremy Baker — I mean, we’ve doubled. I mean, we we we have no more parking. I mean, we we we have 345 parking spots. And then two out of the five weekend experiences, because we do other services throughout the week, two out of the five weekend experiences, we have to turn people away, which just breaks my heart as a pastor because it’s like…Rich Birch — Right. Yeah. Yes.Jeremy Baker — …we can’t build fast enough. We’re looking for bigger venues. Again, I could go on that, but we want to make more room. We want people to find hope. It was never about being big. I told a pastor locally, I said, and he was he was coming here to, you know, just to encourage us to keep going, which was very kind of him. But I said, pastor, it was never about being big. It’s always been about reaching the lost.Rich Birch — Yeah, it’s great.Jeremy Baker — It’s always been about reaching the lost.Rich Birch — Yeah.Jeremy Baker — So I don’t know if that makes any sense.Rich Birch — It does. It does. There’s a lot there that you, that I, you know, I, I, I didn’t want to interrupt because there’s so much packed in there that I think was so helpful for people. And, you know, that singular focus on, Hey, we’re trying to reach people. I want to come back to that in um in a minute. I want you to kind of speak to, leaders on that. Rich Birch — But I want to underline one of the, it’s a simple thing that um we miss in too many churches. And I’ve done a bunch of study on invite culture and you’re doing classically, you’re doing the best behavior classically. You’ve got to keep invite in front of people. We can’t, you can’t let up the gas pedal on that one. You’ve got to keep that in front of people, make it super practical, give them tools, all that like invite card stuff, all of that super important.Rich Birch — Years ago, I was talking to a lead pastor of a church that was growing very rapidly. And this wasn’t on a podcast. We were talking sidebar and I was like, Hey, asked a very similar question. What’s God using? And he’s like, Oh, it’s a little embarrassing. I don’t want to say it. And I’m like, no, no, tell me, what do you think he’s using? And he said, well, every weekend for this last year, We put invite cards on every single chair in every auditorium for the entire year. And we told people, take those and invite people. And he’s like, I really think that that is like just the intensity…Jeremy Baker — That’s it.Rich Birch — …of we’re keeping it in front of people. We can’t let up. So I want to I want to encourage you and that and listeners. Jeremy Baker — Thank you. Rich Birch — Hey, friends, that is that is a key part of this. Talk to us about the the focus on reaching the lost or reaching people who are far from God or unchurched people. Talk talk us through that. Rich Birch — Because what what’s happening at your church, I know we’ve kind of we’ve referenced this a few times, is super unique in in, you know, New England. What would be some of the challenges that you’re facing to keeping that singular focus of reaching unchurched people, people far from God? What’s been the challenge there and how are you having to adjust and kind of keep your culture focused on that as you continue to grow?Jeremy Baker — Such a great question. I mean, such a great question. I would, man, you’re such a great question asker, if I could say it that way.Rich Birch — Oh, that’s nice. Thank you.Jeremy Baker — Yeah I mean, a great question.Rich Birch — Sure.Jeremy Baker — I would think for me, for me, I got into ministry so that people’s lives could be changed by the good news. There’s no other way there’s no other reason why I’m in ministry. I’m here because I want people’s lives to be changed the way my life has been changed. So the the thing I’m always projecting from the the the the platform that I get to walk in, the the place that I get to stand, is it’s got to be about people. That’s why Christ came. He came and he and he died on a cross so that people would find eternal life, so that people would find hope.Jeremy Baker — And so we’re always pushing that agenda from the front. And, you know, whatever said from the platform stage, whatever you want to, however you want to articulate it, is is is is being pushed for a reason, I believe. So we’re constantly pushing this from the stage. We’ve got to reach people. People are dying and going to hell every day. And this is where I think the church sometimes trips. We got enough people now. So now let’s get let’s let’s stop making it about people and let’s start making it about preferences. Rich Birch — Come on.Jeremy Baker — And I think that’s the danger that’s the danger where guys like me can, you know, I was just having an elder meeting a few days ago, and I andI was telling our elders, because now we’ve got to implement some other pathways of discipleship, some other handles to help people grow and mature faster. And I said, you can’t push maturity. Maturity takes time.Jeremy Baker — If we’re not careful, we’ll we’ll lose the vision of what got us here. And then what happens is we’ll become inward focus rather than outward focus. said, I’ve seen it, guys. And I was talking to my elders. and I was just opening up my heart to them. I said, I’ve seen us do this. I’ve been a part of big churches where now it’s about the building. It’s about the butts.Rich Birch — So true.Jeremy Baker — It’s about the budgets. It’s about, you know, I’ve seen that. And I’m like, let us never lose the very thing that God’s allowed us to be a part of in in this season. Rich Birch — Yep, so true.Jeremy Baker — I never woke up one day and said, hey, let’s go and have one the fastest growing churches in America in the New England region. I woke up one day said, God, I’m comfortable. And I don’t want to be comfortable anymore. Rich Birch — So good. Jeremy Baker — I want you to use my life for the rest of my life until I see you to bring an impact in this region, whatever region that you send me. He sent us to the Northeast. Rich Birch — Yep.Jeremy Baker — He sent us back home to where my wife was from. And so that’s our prayer. And I want to keep the main thing the main thing. I don’t want to drift because there is a difference between, there is a difference between preferences and then and then purpose, you know. The purpose of Elevate is to make heaven more crowded. The purpose of Elevate is to make disciples that follow Jesus. The purpose is to reach our community, to make an impact. But but if you’re not careful, you’ll you’ll get you’ll get satisfied with the people. You’ll settle. You’ll get complacent. We got enough people now.Jeremy Baker — But what if but what if God really wants to change? What if God, this is my question I’ve been wrestling with, and maybe maybe you have answers for me, but I’ve been wrestling with this question in my own spirit. Like, is it possible that one church could really change a community? Is it possible that one church could, God could use a church, a group of people. Not not I’m not talking I’m not talking about domination. I’m talking about just a group of people that are passionate about making heaven more crowded, that God could use a group of people that would change the facet of a community. Rich Birch — So good.Jeremy Baker — You know? That would that that that’s the that’s the thing I’ve been wrestling with. Can God use Elevate Life in this region? What if God wants to use us to help Yale? What if God wants us to use us to, you know, to to to get on college campuses and see a revival, you know, at Yale University?Rich Birch — So good.Jeremy Baker — You know, and I mean, that’s an Ivy League school. Rich Birch — Yes.Jeremy Baker — I mean, people from all over the world go to that school. And we haven’t even, I feel like, scratched the surface. So that’s part of my my always, I got to keep the main thing the main thing. It’s got to be about people. So one of our values is, people is our pursuit. That’s what we’re, we’re pursuing people.Rich Birch — That’s so good.Jeremy Baker — And not programs, not not preferences. I got preferences. I mean, I’m sure we all got preferences. Rich Birch — Yes.Jeremy Baker — But I’m putting down my preference so that I can carry the purpose of the good news. I hope that makes sense.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s so good. Makes total sense. And yeah, super encouraging. And yeah, I think I think God’s placed your church in a, you know, every community across the country is an important place. There’s people all over the world that need Jesus, obviously, but I i don’t think you’re, I think it doesn’t, it’s not surprising to me that the Northeast is a place that is, some call it a spiritually dead or spiritually dry part of the country, while at the same time, it is of global significance in a lot of different ways. Like the the communities that you’re serving are are different than other parts of the kind country from an influence point of view. You place like Yale, it’s not just another university.Jeremy Baker — Yeah.Rich Birch — You know. And so I think God’s placed you there for a real specific reason, which I think is you know, super encouraging. Well, this has been a a great conversation, Jeremy. I just want to encourage you, thankful that you would come on today and help us kind of peek behind the curtain a little bit. As we land today’s episode, any kind of final words you give to church leaders that are listening in to today’s conversation?Jeremy Baker — You know, the only thing I would encourage church leaders is my my my thing I always tell pastors and and people that I am connected with always is just make it about people. Make it about people. And I’ll say it this way. It’s not problems to be solved. It’s people to be pastored. It’s not problems to be solved. It’s people to be pastored. Sometimes pastors, and I get it because I’m talking to myself, sometimes we make people the problem, and the people are not the problem. The people are the purpose of why we do the pastoring. That’s why we do what we do. That’s why we do shepherding. Jeremy Baker — So, you know, when you’re dealing with when you’re dealing with people, it’s messy. It can be hurtful. There’s there’s different things that come with that, and we could list a thousand things in that. But I would just say, just love people well to the best of your ability. Give them grace. Give them mercy. Jeremy Baker — If they leave your church and they go somewhere else, just let them know the key under the mat. We’re on the same team. We’re part of the same family. We’re all going to go to heaven to we know one day. It’s not about who’s got the bigger church or who’s better? Who’s got the better kids program or who’s got ah the more youth? It’s not about any of that. It’s about just trusting God with what he’s given us stewardship over and in stewarding that really well and just loving the people that God brings.Rich Birch — Yeah, so good. Pastor Jeremy, appreciate you being on today.Jeremy Baker — Thank you.Rich Birch — If people want to track with you or with the church, where do we want to send them online to connect with you guys and kind of follow your story a little bit? I would encourage people to follow your Instagram. So where can we find that and your website and all that? Jeremy Baker — Yeah, so our website is elevatelifect.com, elevatelifect.com, and that would be the same for our Instagram. And so thank you so much for having me. ‘m very grateful, and thank you for your time.Rich Birch — Thanks so much. Take care.

Rate A Queen is back, but where is the drag? Willam and Alaska want to know why there are no more mini challenges, no more quick drag, and just a whole lot of alliance chat and workroom scuttlebutt on this most lackluster episode of Drag Race? Half the queens show off their talents, half the queens sit in judgement and rate them, and all of them walk the runway in one of the most forgiving fabrics. Alaska and Willam discuss finger waves versus finger blasting, conceptualizing a look while doing mushrooms in Hawaii on Thanksgiving, and why no human being should wear tight satin!Listen to Race Chaser Ad-Free on MOM PlusFollow us on IG at @racechaserpod and click the link in bio for a list of organizations you can donate to in support of Black Lives MatterFOLLOW ALASKAhttps://twitter.com/Alaska5000https://www.instagram.com/theonlyalaska5000https://www.facebook.com/AlaskaThunderhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9vnKqhNky1BcWqXbDs0NAQFOLLOW WILLAMhttps://twitter.com/willamhttps://www.instagram.com/willamhttps://www.facebook.com/willamhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrO9hj5VqGJufBlVJy-8D1gRACE CHASER IS A FOREVER DOG PODCASTSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Hysteria 51, we're serving up a double feature where nature chooses violence… and humanity chooses unhinged.First: Janesville, Wisconsin is apparently living inside a Thanksgiving-themed action movie. A flock of wild turkeys has been chasing people, hassling a postal worker, blocking traffic, and generally running the neighborhood like feathery little HOA enforcers with anger issues. One local even caught the chaos on camera. If you've ever wondered what it's like to be offering peace and goodwill to all… while a bird the size of a small child sprints at you with murder in its eyes, welcome home. Then we pivot from “street menace” to “please evacuate the entire building”: a man showed up at a hospital with a World War I artillery shell lodged in his rectum, prompting a hospital evacuation and a bomb squad response because, yes, it was reported as potentially live. Doctors had to remove it surgically, and everyone involved probably aged ten years in one evening. It's the kind of headline that makes you whisper, “how” and then immediately decide you don't actually want the answer. So buckle up for an episode packed with weird news, small-town terror turkeys, and ER chaos so intense it came with its own security perimeter. If you like your comedy dark, your science nonexistent, and your survival instincts activated by poultry… this one's for you.Links & Resources

Click here to take a look at Rainey's shirt! --------Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

Send us a textWe all have an inner dialogue. But how often do we lead it?In this episode of Think Again & Be, we explore the biblical practice of speaking to the soul—training the inner voice to align with truth, faith, and joy rather than fear, anxiety, or circumstance.Building on the previous episode Thanksgiving by Faith, this conversation looks at how faith is voice-activated, how joy is cultivated from the inside out, and why Scripture repeatedly shows God's people talking to themselves before they speak to the world.From David encouraging himself in the Lord, to Jeremiah finding hope in the darkest moment, to Habakkuk choosing joy before the harvest, we see that transformation often begins with rightful self-talk.This episode is an invitation to reclaim your inner voice— to speak faith, remember truth, and create an atmosphere of joy that sustains life.Scriptures ReferencedPsalm 42:5; 43:5Lamentations 3:241 Samuel 30:6Habakkuk 3:16–19Psalm 91:2Joel 3:10Philemon 1:6–7Key ThemesFaith is voice-activatedSpeaking to the soulJoy as an atmosphere, not a moodAnxiety is not your identityTraining the inner voiceThanksgiving, praise, and joy as a cycleGet Your Hopes Up!@damiteninwww.bydami.comwww.tribalmarks.com

Happy New Year! We're kicking off 2026 with a massive recap of everything that went down over the last few months. Steve and Jon are back to break down the holiday season—from Thanksgiving turkey to Christmas morning and ringing in the New Year. Most importantly, we're looking back at our incredible Toys for Tots toy drive and comedy show. Between the laughs from Jody Sloane and Bruce James and the generosity of everyone who helped us collect over 100 toys, it was a hell of a way to wrap up the year. We're hitting the ground running for the foundation this year—let's get it! In this episode, we talk about: Surviving the holiday gauntlet (Thanksgiving through New Year's). The success of our November toy drive for Toys 4 Tots. Highlights from the comedy show featuring Jody Sloane and Bruce James. What's coming next for the Never Stop Getting It Foundation in 2026.

We sometimes believe our circumstances are too messy, too dark, or too far gone for God to reach us. But Jesus has never been limited by location, failure, or fear. He finds people in storms, in crowds, in shame, and in hiding. No matter where you are, He is pursuing you with love and purpose. Today, Pastor Bill will tell you that Jesus doesn't wait for you to get it together; He comes to rescue you. So take heart today: you are seen, you are sought after, and Jesus will save you right where you are.

President Donald Trump has issued a flurry of pardons and commutations in his second term — but it's not entirely different from how his predecessors used that power. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Jolie Myers and Jenny Lawton, fact checked by Andrea López-Cruzado, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King. President Trump at the 2025 Thanksgiving turkey pardoning ceremony at the White House. Photo by Chen Mengtong/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

FREE PDF on how to start your own weekly family meal rhythm: https://familyteams.com/meal --- This is the final instalment in our Weekly Family Meal series on the podcast. We start diving deep into this topic inside the Family Teams Accelerator in February, so if you're ready to start using this tool and building a lifelong rhythm, make sure you join us to get real-time coaching as you implement it, and connect with other families! Today we're joined by Rhett and Ang Barbour, who have been doing an intentional, weekly, family meal for 20 years. You'll hear why it's the ONE rhythm that they never compromise on, and how they've used it to drastically shape their family culture. Listen in and get highly actionable tips on starting your own meaningful weekly meal to help build your family's culture. On this episode, we talk about: 0:00 Intro 2:04 How the Barbours got into this rhythm 6:49 Getting started with little kids 16:34 How this has impacted Rhett and Ang personally at a soul level 25:22 The perfect Thanksgiving meal every week Follow Family Teams: Facebook: https://facebook.com/famteams Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/familyteams Website: https://www.familyteams.com Resources Mentioned: FREE PDF on how to start your own weekly family meal rhythm: https://familyteams.com/meal Join the Family Teams Accelerator for hands on training: https://familyteams.com/accelerator --- Hi, welcome to the Family Teams podcast! Our goal here is to help your family become a multigenerational team on mission by providing you with Biblically rooted concepts, tools and rhythms! Your hosts are Jeremy Pryor and Jefferson Bethke. Make sure to subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube so you don't miss out on future episodes!

This Thanksgiving is a particularly challenging milestone for Biff—it is his first holiday without his wife and children. Earlier this year, his 17-year marriage to Mable ended after years of mediocrity and unresolved conflict. Mable has custody of their three teenage sons, who blame Biff for the divorce. Read, Watch, Listen: https://lifeovercoffee.com/case-study-thanks-thanksgiving/ Will you help us to continue providing free content for everyone? You can become a supporting member here https://lifeovercoffee.com/join/, or you can make a one-time or recurring donation here https://lifeovercoffee.com/donate/.

Enter The Deakyverse! Join For Exclusive Monthly Shows, Early Access to Episodes, Extended Episodes & More.
Click the Link to Join on Spotify: https://ishortn.ink/tfdeakyverseSubscriptions also available on Apple Podcast & YouTube Platforms.-----Nobody believes me, but I know what I saw. That's the theme of today's episode, where our storytellers share experiences that they cannot explain, making for some truly strange and mysterious listening. Folks welcome back to yet another TFD episode. This week's episode dives deep into some fascinating short form true paranormal encounters, glitch-in-the-matrix moments, and unexplainable brushes with the supernatural that will leave you questioning everything you think you know about the other side.From a grieving family experiencing a full-body ghostly apparition, to a teen who hears a blood-curdling scream while home alone, to a hiker guided through the wilderness by what can only be described as a spirit bear intervention, these stories come straight from real people who swear what they witnessed was no hallucination.That being said, this episode is ALSO quite heavy on the tangents, as we explore the wildly gay side of Stranger Things, two very different Repo Man movies, and Christian's unabashedly feminist beliefs. If you're someone that gets antsy with anything other than story telling, please remember that your delicate, lil keyboard warrior self can find stories directly in the Time Stamps. Isn't that amazing?Settle in.Lights low.Volume up.We'll see you on the inside…------TIME STAMPS:0:00 - Nobody Believes Me, But I Know What I Saw…0:45 - Intro Music1:42 - YouTube Memberships & Random Nonsense4:28 - @talltalesocialclub / Wrinkled Ball Bag v. Planchette6:45 - STORY: A Fond Farewell8:15 - Anyone Seen a Friend/Family Member That's Passed On?11:43 - STORY: Don't Skip School12:30 - Don't Share Your Paranormal Experiences With Friends.. 13:13 - Christian Spins You a Yarn..14:00 - Bad Drivers vs. Impossibly Ridiculous Parking Lots: A Tangent16:16 - Scott's Ex (Not the Crazy One) Watches the Show 17:28 - STORY: Spirit Guide Bear20:00 - Did Christian Not Know Spirit Bears Are Real? 23:15 - STORY: Daddy, Close The Door26:11 - STORY: Directions to DC28:00 - How Many Serial Killers Have We Crossed In Our Lives? 32:59 - Producers Don't Care For The Magic Ball Bag Bit 33:27 - STORY: Ol' No Face38:15 - Scott Comes After Christians Kooky Feminist Beliefs40:00 - I Guess We're on Repo Men now..41:34 - We've Shifted to Token Black Guys & Stranger Things Gay Power 45:30 - Okay this is getting weird. Sorry. (THERE'S TIME STAMPS)47:23 - STORY: Giving Off Some Real Bambi Energy50:21 - Got Back and Listen to The Telepathic Pets Episode 51:10 - Thanks for the Sleep With the Lights On Love on Spotify 52:06 - Buy-Curious (Great Wordplay, Take Notes) 55:14 - It's Over_____________________________________________+BECOME A PRODUCER: http://bit.ly/3WZ3xTg+BUY A $9 SHOUT-OUT: https://holler.baby/thefreakydeaky+PRODUCERS: Eric Long, Daniel Heng, Anthony M, Marlene OlmosThe Twilight Zone meets Mystery Science Theatre 3000 meets an uncomfortable Thanksgiving dinner conversation with your in-laws. TFD is a weekly paranormal comedy podcast featuring real ghost stories, Cryptid lore discussions, and true paranormal experiences hosted by believer/skeptic in-laws.Recorded in an undisclosed location somewhere in the beautiful woods of Wasilla, Alaska.+SUBMIT YOUR (TRUE) STORY:—Email: thegang@thefreakydeaky.com —Voicemail: 801-997-0051+WEBSITE & MERCH:—Website: www.thefreakydeaky.com—Merch: www.thefreakydeaky.com/store+JOIN THE DISCUSSION:—TFD Facebook Group: https://tinyurl.com/tfdfb —Instagram: https://bit.ly/2HOdleo —Facebook: https://bit.ly/3ebSde6

We often think being a witness requires perfect conditions: confidence, comfort, and the right moment. But Scripture shows us that God calls us to be witnesses in every circumstance, not just the easy ones. Whether in joy or hardship, peace or pressure, our lives speak. And we may be the only glimpse of Jesus someone ever sees. As Pastor Bill will share with you today, God doesn't wait for ideal situations to work through you. God can use you right where you stand, and your witness still matters.

We often think being a witness requires perfect conditions: confidence, comfort, and the right moment. But Scripture shows us that God calls us to be witnesses in every circumstance, not just the easy ones. Whether in joy or hardship, peace or pressure, our lives speak. And we may be the only glimpse of Jesus someone ever sees. As Pastor Bill will share with you today, God doesn't wait for ideal situations to work through you. God can use you right where you stand, and your witness still matters.

A family Thanksgiving gathering turned deadly when investigators say a North Carolina mother laced a bottle of wine with a chemical that slowly converts to cyanide inside the human body — and the investigation has now reopened an 18-year-old cold case.READ or SHARE: https://weirddarkness.com/mom-poisons-daughters-thanksgiving-wineWeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2026, Weird Darkness.#WeirdDarkness, #WeirdDarkNEWS, #TrueCrime, #ThanksgivingPoisoning, #CyanidePoisoning, #ColdCase, #MurderMystery, #FamilyMurder, #NorthCarolinaCrime, #TrueCrimeDocumentary

Gratitude can feel impossible when life is painful. When loss is loud, when circumstances feel unfair, and when your heart is carrying more than it can hold, “be thankful” can sound like an unreachable goal. This devotional doesn’t minimize that reality—it starts in the middle of it. The author describes sitting beside her terminally ill daughter on a beautiful day she couldn’t enjoy outside, and the ache of watching someone you love miss what feels so simple. In that raw moment, her prayer was honest—more like a complaint than praise. But then the focus shifts to a quiet gift: sunshine through the window. God didn’t change the circumstance in an instant, but He brought light into the room. That small detail became a turning point, not because it erased the grief, but because it revealed God’s kindness in the middle of it. When we’re overwhelmed by what we can’t have, we can miss what God is still giving—His presence, a moment of peace, the gift of being together, strength when we’re weak, and reminders of His care that show up in unexpected ways. The devotional connects this to Nehemiah, where God’s people were rebuilding under pressure and threat. Their situation wasn’t easy or resolved—but they still stopped to give thanks and celebrate with joy. Their worship wasn’t based on perfect conditions. It was rooted in God’s faithfulness. And the line that echoes through the entire devotional is this: God turns curses into blessings. That “however” is a holy interruption—reminding us that even when we see only hardship, God is still working redemption. Gratitude, then, isn’t about forcing cheerful feelings. It’s about anchoring your heart in who God is. Even if your thanks is weak and trembling, it still matters—because the God you’re thanking is steady, present, and faithful. And even in the darkest rooms, He still sends light through windows you didn’t know were there. Main Takeaways Gratitude isn’t denial of pain; it’s noticing God’s presence within it. It’s easy to fixate on what’s missing and miss the gifts God is still giving. God can bring light into dark places, even when circumstances don’t change right away. Thanksgiving doesn’t require perfect conditions—it’s rooted in God’s faithfulness. God is able to turn curses into blessings, even when we can’t see how yet. Today’s Bible Verse "The leaders of the Levites were... to give thanks, according to the commands of David the man of God... At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out... to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving... The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away." - Nehemiah 12:24, 27, 43 (Our God, however, turned the curse into a blessing in Nehemiah 13:2b). Your Daily Prayer Here is a brief excerpt from today’s prayer: “Turn my whispered complaints into weak but willing praise… Turn my curse into a blessing, as only You can.” You can listen to the full prayer here or read the devotional at the links below. Looking for more daily encouragement and faith-filled content? LifeAudio – Discover daily devotionals, Christian podcasts, and biblical encouragement at LifeAudio.com Crosswalk – Explore faith, prayer, and Christian living resources at Crosswalk.com Prayer Journal Mentioned – Praying the Promises of God: 52 Week Guided Journal by Rachel Wojo (available at promisesprayerjournal.com). This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. “Whether we’re helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Nick Reiner announced at the 2018 Thankgiving gathering that he was “ungrateful” for the food and “not grateful” for the company of family and friends who he labeled as “freeloaders” in HIS home. In reality, the 13.5 million dollar Brentwood mansion and it's guesthouse that Reiner called home was paid for by the money his father famed director and actor Rob Reiner and his photographer wife Michelle Singer Reiner earned through their hard work and talents. This depiction of the Reiner's. family Thanksgiving in 2018 and published in the Washington Post tells us so much about how Nick Reiner viewed his family. Nick Reiner viewed his family as intruders on his lifestyle and his freedom and he had no gratitude for the luxury lifestyle they gifted him. What kept the Reiner's from going no-contact with their violent, drug addicted son. In this episode we discuss what the Reiner's could have done to protect themselves from the son they loved and feared.Get access to exclusive content & support the podcast by a Patron today! https://patreon.com/robertaglasstruecrimereport Throw a tip in the tip jar! https://buymeacoffee.com/robertaglassSupport Roberta by sending a donation via Venmo. https://venmo.com/robertaglassBecome a chanel member for custom Emojis, first looks and exclusive streams here: https://youtube.com/@robertaglass/joinShow Notes:Psychology Today "Is Your Son Dangerous?" - https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/when-your-adult-child-breaks-your-heart/201402/is-your-child-dangerousDr. Sharon L. Martin "How to Deal with an Abusive Child" - https://www.livewellwithsharonmartin.com/how-to-deal-with-an-abusive-adult-child/OCALI "What to Do When Your Child Exhibits Dangerous Behavior" -https://ocali.org/storage/ocali-ims-sites/ocali-ims-ocali/documents/Dangerous_Behavior_Guide.pdfWashington Post "Inside Nick Reiner's Life of Privlige, Pills and Pain" - https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/2026/01/24/nick-reiner-profile/Dopey Podcast 45 pt. 2 - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dopey45-part-two-shooting-crack-homelessness-nick-reiner/id1077823917?i=1000375161767People Magazine "Rob Reiner and Wife Michele Shared Regret on How They Handled Son Nick's Addictions 10 Years Ago: 'We Were Desperate" - https://people.com/rob-reiner-wife-michele-shared-regret-how-handled-son-nick-addictions-interview-11868929Thank you Patrons!Beth, Shelley Safford, Carol Mumumeci, Therese Tunks, JC, Lizzy D, Elizabeth Drake, Texas Mimi, Barb, Deborah Shults, Ratliff, Stephanie Lamberson, Maryellen Sudol, Mona, Karen Pacini, Jen Buell, Marie Horton, ER, Rosie Grace, B. Rabbit, Sally Merrick, Amanda D, Mary B, Mrs Jones, Amy Gill, Eileen, Wesley Loves Octoberfest, Erin (Kitties1993), Anna Quint, Cici Guteriez, Sandra Loves GatsbyHannna, Christy, Jen Buell, Elle Solari, Carol Cardella, Jennifer Harmon, DoxieMama65, Carol Holderman, Joan Mahon, Marcie Denton, Rosanne Aponte, Johnny Jay, Jude Barnes, JenTheRN, Victoria Devenish, Jeri Falk, Kimberly Lovelace, Penni Miller, Jil, Janet Gardner, Jayne Wallace (JaynesWhirled), Pat Brooks, Jennifer Klearman, Judy Brown, Linda Lazzaro, Suzanne Kniffin, Susan Hicks, Jeff Meadors, D Samlam, Pat Brooks, Cythnia, Bonnie Schoeneman-Dilley, Diane Larsen, Mary, Kimberly Philipson, Cat Stewart, Cindy Pochesci, Kevin Crecy, Renee Chavez, Melba Pourteau, Julie K Thomas, Mia Wallace, Stark Stuff, Kayce Taylor, Alice, Dean, GiGi5, Jennifer Crum, Dana Natale, Bewildered Beauty, Pepper, Joan Chakonas, Blythe, Pat Dell, Lorraine Reid, T.B., Melissa, Victoria Gray Bross, Toni Woodland, Danbrit, Kenny Haines and Toni Natalie.

The NFL is nearly synonymous with America today. Practically nothing is more quintessentially and universally American than tuning in every Sunday (and Monday, and Thursday… and sometimes Saturdays and holidays too) to watch the world's most beautiful ballet of violence. It generates the most revenue of any sports league globally and sets new records for team valuations each year. But it wasn't always this way.The history of the NFL mirrors America's own development: scrappy small-town teams rode the successive growth waves of the automobile, TV, the Internet and social media to grow larger than the even the founders' wildest dreams. Whether you watch football or not, the NFL is one incredible business story, and one that we've taken more lessons from over the years for Acquired itself than perhaps any other episode we've made.Note: This is a remastered release of our original January 2023 episode, updated to today's Acquired production standards. It also features a full hour+ followup section at the end covering the seismic shifts in the NFL's business since the original episode's release. Much has happened in those three years: Taylor Swift entered the league (via merger

Aviation legend, educator, instructor, and author Dr. Paul Craig joins the gang to discuss the highly anticipated third edition of The Killing Zone - the book that's basically scripture for midlife pilots everywhere.With new publisher ASA, Paul's back with fresh data from 12,406 general aviation accidents proving that yes, the 50-350 hour zone still has significantly higher accident rates.We dive deep into his data-driven approach to accident analysis, explore how technology is creating pilot-induced distractions like GoPro fiddling and selfie-taking, and discover why mental health conversations have finally evolved beyond just "pilot stress." Paul explains how HIMS AMEs are changing the game for pilots needing help, and why scenario-based training beats practicing basketball fundamentals all day.Whether you're climbing Mount Stupid or think you've conquered it, Paul reminds us that every flight is different and deserves your full attention. Plus, hear his scariest moment involving recruiting football players, hydraulic failure, and emergency gear extension that sounded like the airplane was coming apart.Featuring abnormal contact with the ground, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving accident curse, and why Paul never tells ATC how an approach will terminate.Mentioned on the show:* ASA, The Killing Zone third edition: https://asa2fly.com/the-killing-zone-softcover/* Wingnuts Aviation, M91 Springfield Tenn: https://wingnutsaviation.net/* About ASA: https://asa2fly.com/about-us/* The Vegas Bravo Buster on VASAviation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUSUXnr4dSo* New York Times Presents 'Lie to Fly': https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/23/NYT-Presents/lie-to-fly-joseph-emerson-pilot.html* AOPA, Mike Busch, Quantifying Maintenance Risk: https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2025/november/pilot/savvy-maintenance-opinion-quantifying-maintenance-risk* Scarpazza, Quantifying the Risk of Accidents and Serious Incidents Due to Maintenance in General Aviation: https://www.savvyaviation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Risks-of-maintenance-to-GA.pdf* Paul Craig, Flight Times: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1685642306Visit www.midlifepilotpodcast.com to support the show, get merch, and download the free 23 page PDF "The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Midlife Pilot".

Olivia interviews Ella Shahbazian, the 15-year-old founder of Ella's Angels, a nonprofit aimed at empowering youth through community service, education, and financial literacy. They discuss Ella's motivation for starting the organization, notable events like a large Thanksgiving meal distribution, and upcoming initiatives. Ella shares her thoughts on leadership, the impact of community service, and personal finance. In the speed round, they cover topics like the importance of entrepreneurship, the role of sports in character building, and the usefulness of artificial intelligence.Ella Shahbazian is a student, author, nonprofit founder, and community advocate dedicated to creating meaningful change through youth-led leadership.Ella is a recipient of the Congressional Award at the Bronze and Silver levels, a federally chartered, non-partisan recognition created by the United States Congress to honor sustained commitment to community service, leadership development, personal growth, and physical fitness. She earned these distinctions through multi-year service and leadership efforts. The Gold level is currently in progress.https://ellashahbazian.com/This podcast is brought to you by Matters.com. A new social media and collaboration platform - launching soon. Join thousands getting the Matters.com newsletter — world news, fresh perspectives, and early beta access.

One of the very best parts of hosting the Geekin' on Walt Disney World Podcast is reconnecting with longtime listeners and friends — and this week's episode is a perfect example of why. In Episode 652, I'm joined by one of our favorite returning Geeks and longtime friend of the show, Bill Carmichael, for a thoughtful, honest, and refreshingly old-school Disney trip report. Bill recently took a short Thanksgiving getaway to Walt Disney World with his family, and what makes this conversation special isn't just what they did — it's how they approached the trip. Fewer park days, more intention, and a real focus on enjoying the moments instead of rushing through a checklist. This episode is a great reminder that Disney magic doesn't always come from doing more — sometimes it comes from slowing down.

2 mishanyot! 1 - How combinations can make items pigul or not. With the cases of the thanksgiving offering (animal offering plus loaves) and also the "Shtei HaLehem" - lambs and 2 loaves of Shavuot. Also, a long discussion about what question Rabbi Elazar asked of Rav (to determine the question itself), in terms of pigul with varied factors -- the order of events, with regard to offerings, intent, minimal measure, and so on. Plus, a mention of "cannabis" (hemp) in the context of mixtures. 2 - Pigul intent renders the libations pigul once they've been sanctified, but the libations, if brought with pigul intent, would not make the offerings themselves pigul.

GraceLife Fam.. Thank you for listening us today!

Question: What could possibly be the value of me saying a prayer, or speaking a confession, or commanding a healing, over and over again? It seems like a waste of time, since my mind heard it the first time. Shouldn't it be enough to pray once then move on to another topic? Is there a reason I should repeat the same thing twice a day?Answer: There is great value in repetition. God often established that a ritual be done both morning and evening (1 Chron. 16:40; 23:30; 2 Chron. 2:4; 13:11; 31:3; Ezra 3:3).They are to stand every morning to thank and to praise the LORD, and likewise at evening (1 Chron. 23:30).Read more here.Support the show

Life has a way of knocking us off balance. Stress, worry, and pressure don't just affect us emotionally and mentally, they shake us spiritually. God gives us two steady “bookends” to keep us upright: His peace and His rest.

Life has a way of knocking us off balance. Stress, worry, and pressure don't just affect us emotionally and mentally, they shake us spiritually. God gives us two steady “bookends” to keep us upright: His peace and His rest.

Two stories have come out in the press that expose Nick Reiner's motive for the murder of his parents, famed director Rob Reiner and photographer Michelle Singer Reiner. An ex-roommate of Reiner's from a ritzy rehab describes a 15 year-old Reiner as being filled with “seething anger”, entitlement and hatred for his parents. The former roommate also goes on to describe an incident where Reiner tried to physically attack him. In another article, 14 people who knew Reiner describe a last Thanksgiving dinner at the Reiner's. The article paints a portrait of a man who felt entitled to the lifestyle his parents earned. Interestingly, no one who knew Reiner described a man who couldn't discern right from wrong. Let's talk about it!Get access to exclusive content & support the podcast by becoming a Patron today! https://patreon.com/robertaglasstruecrimereportThrow a tip in the tip jar! https://buymeacoffee.com/robertaglassSupport Roberta by sending a donation via Venmo. https://venmo.com/robertaglassBecome a channnel member for custom Emojis, first looks and exclusive streams here: https://youtube.com/@robertaglass/joinShow Notes:Washington Post "Inside Nick Reiner's Life of Privilege, Pills and Pain" -https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/2026/01/24/nick-reiner-profile/People Magazine "Incarcerated Close Friend of Rob and Michele Reiner Says Couple Would Not Want to See Their Son Nick ‘Suffer' (Exclusive) " - https://people.com/close-friend-of-rob-michele-reiner-says-couple-would-not-want-to-see-nick-suffer-exclusive-11889132Enstarz "Nick Reiner Described as Out of His Head" -https://www.enstarz.com/articles/243910/20260120/nick-reiner-described-out-his-head-jail-after-alleged-murders-documentary-reveals.htmIBTimes " " - https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/ex-roommate-entitled-monster-nick-reiner-details-chilling-experience-luxury-rehab-centre-1773039Roberta Glass True Crime Report on Marty Tankleff “Did Keith Raniere's Lawyer Murder His Parents?” - https://youtu.be/ujRp5XkdJTo?si=8sjfPfz4T5-QPWWzThank you Patrons!Carol Mumumeci, Therese Tunks, JC, Lizzy D, Elizabeth Drake, Texas Mimi, Barb, Deborah Shults, Debra Ratliff, Stephanie Lamberson, Maryellen Sudol, Mona, Karen Pacini, Jen Buell, Marie Horton, ER, Rosie Grace, B. Rabbit, Sally Merrick, Amanda D, Mary B, Mrs Jones, Amy Gill, Eileen, Wesley Loves Octoberfest, Erin (Kitties1993), Anna Quint, Cici Guteriez, Sandra Loves GatsbyHannna, Christy, Jen Buell, Elle Solari, Carol Cardella, Jennifer Harmon, DoxieMama65, Carol Holderman, Joan Mahon, Marcie Denton, Rosanne Aponte, Johnny Jay, Jude Barnes, JenTheRN, Victoria Devenish, Jeri Falk, Kimberly Lovelace, Penni Miller, Jil, Janet Gardner, Jayne Wallace (JaynesWhirled), Pat Brooks, Jennifer Klearman, Judy Brown, Linda Lazzaro, Suzanne Kniffin, Susan Hicks, Jeff Meadors, D Samlam, Pat Brooks, Cythnia, Bonnie Schoeneman-Dilley, Diane Larsen, Mary, Kimberly Philipson, Cat Stewart, Cindy Pochesci, Kevin Crecy, Renee Chavez, Melba Pourteau, Julie K Thomas, Mia Wallace, Stark Stuff, Kayce Taylor, Alice, Dean, GiGi5, Jennifer Crum, Dana Natale, Bewildered Beauty, Pepper, Joan Chakonas, Blythe, Pat Dell, Lorraine Reid, T.B., Melissa, Victoria Gray Bross, Toni Woodland, Danbrit, Kenny Haines and Toni Natalie.

In the spirit of dropping beefs and making the world a kinder place in 2026, we're recapping Eli Roth's surprisingly un-terrible holiday-themed slasher. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If part of a communal offering becomes ritually impure before the blood was sprinkled, is it all treated as impure or is each component processed separately? • If at the time of slaughter, one intends to consume one component of a Thanksgiving offering after its expiration, are all components of the offering invalidated as Pigul?

Welcome to FractureLine: the official weekly news feed from the Chest Wall Injury Society, where we will listen to all the bottom-line CWIS updates, shout-outs, fun facts, and weekly banter! This week, we are doing a little throwback to our pre-Thanksgiving and post-CWIS Summit 2026 submissions deadline! We are joined by the FL crew (SarahAnn, Dr. Kryskow, Dr. Bauman, & Dr. White). We caught up with each other and got to hear about all of SarahAnn & Dr. White's travels for CWIS. Arguably, even better we got to hear from Dr. Kryskow about his yearly mustache for Movember and all the work/care it takes to keep it healthy and growing! We also include a warning about airport sushi. This episode is the certain to keep you entertained!

Guest Author: Paul GregoryHeadline: A Tale of Two Funerals: Burial and DelusionSummary: While the world watched JFK's funeral, a small group buried Lee Harvey Oswald, with reporters serving as pallbearers. The Gregory family's Thanksgiving was overshadowed by the trauma and Margarite Oswald's erratic behavior, as she clashed with agents and insisted on her son's innocence.Article: As the nation mourned President Kennedy, Marina and Margarite struggled to bury Lee in a grim ceremony where reporters had to carry the coffin, with Marina devastated by the contrast between her husband's end and the televised images of the Kennedy family. The Gregory family spent a foggy Thanksgiving recovering from the ordeal, discussing Margarite's delusional assertions that she was being persecuted by the very Secret Service agents trying to protect her, behavior that highlighted the dysfunction she passed down to her son.

A North Carolina restaurateur, Gudrun Casper-Leinenkugel, is facing two murder charges after investigators say she poisoned her daughter Leela Livis at Thanksgiving and is now tied to the 2007 house-fire death of Michael Schmidt, with authorities warning she could be linked to additional suspicious deaths. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dexter B. Wakefield | Recorded November 29, 2025

Dexter B. Wakefield | Recorded November 29, 2025

Today we hear the Gospel Passage of the 10 that were all healed by Christ when they asked for His mercy.  Much can be said about these verses, those with leprosy, how all were healed, only one came back to give thanks and so much more. Today‘s sermon focuses on us.How?Listen…

Caller Questions & Discussion: Dr. Jim discusses why parents need to allow their adult children to learn through natural consequences and be careful not to enable them. My husband asked for a divorce the day before Thanksgiving, and it scares me that his family might turn my kids against me. What should my next step be to connect with a woman in my Bible study who has anxiety? I asked her to go out to eat, but she canceled. My daughter is divorced from an abusive marriage, and she has recently been swept off her feet by a man who is here on a work visa. As a dad, what is my role? What is the next step after I had an affair 25 years ago that my husband keeps bringing up?

Thanksgiving before a difficult circumstance

The Pennsylvania Game Commission has proposed major changes to the 2026–27 hunting seasons — and this is the window where hunter feedback matters. In this bonus episode, Beau Martonik breaks down the proposed changes and explains why he believes moving regular firearms deer season one week earlier puts rifles deeper into the rut, increases vulnerability of mature bucks, and could hurt the quality of deer hunting PA has improved over the last 20 years. He also covers the ripple effect that moves firearms bear season earlier, colliding with what many consider the best week of archery deer hunting. This is still proposal-stage — not final — which means hunters need to voice their opinions the right way (not just in social comments). Beau also shares a quick Instagram poll: 678 responses — 96% opposed / 4% supported. Be respectful. Be clear. And make sure your feedback reaches the Board. Links: PGC Contact Us / Board comment path + January Meeting Agenda Here's a copy/paste email template that you can use to send to the board, if you agree with my thoughts. Dear Board, I'm asking the Board to keep the regular firearms deer opener after Thanksgiving and avoid moving it earlier into peak rut activity. I'm concerned this will increase vulnerability of mature bucks during peak breeding movement and could reduce the quality and age structure of bucks, which has improved over the last two decades. I also oppose moving the firearms bear season to what is widely considered the best week of archery deer hunting, as this will increase pressure and reduce opportunities for archery hunters. If the goal is youth participation, I support recruitment efforts that don't sacrifice the core season structure—for example, expanded mentored/youth opportunities, targeted weekends, or other options that improve access without shifting the statewide firearms timing. In Pennsylvania and beyond, I believe access plays a bigger role in losing hunters who have purchased licenses for years. When we lose those people, we lose those mentors for the youth/new hunters. I commend the PGC for acquiring new state game lands and helping with access, but I believe that it will be difficult to keep up with the amount of private land that was previously accessible through permission, to leases, amongst other reasons. Thank you for considering hunter feedback. ⁠Sign up for the 2026 Mountain Bucks Scouting Camp!⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram:   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@eastmeetswesthunt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@beau.martonik⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠East Meets West Outdoors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Shop Hunting Gear and Apparel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.eastmeetswesthunt.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: Beau Martonik - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQJon93sYfu9HUMKpCMps3w⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Partner Discounts and Affiliate Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.eastmeetswesthunt.com/partners⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amazon Influencer Page ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/shop/beau.martonik⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this solo episode of the Pennsylvania Woodsman, Mitch takes listeners through his initial reaction to a proposed change to Pennsylvania's statewide firearm deer season—specifically, a proposal that would move opening day to the Saturday before Thanksgiving. What begins as a discussion about season structure quickly turns inward, as Mitchell openly shares how frustration, impatience, and strong opinions began to spill into other areas of his life. Through an unexpected moment of conviction while reading Proverbs 18, he reflects on the dangers of reacting before listening, speaking before understanding, and allowing passion to override wisdom.With a more measured and humble perspective, Mitchell then revisits the proposal itself, laying out thoughtful concerns around Thanksgiving traditions, deer camp culture, bear season impacts, rut timing, weather arguments, and student opportunity claims. Rather than ranting or assigning blame, he encourages respectful dialogue, personal responsibility, and constructive engagement with the Pennsylvania Game Commission. This episode is both a timely discussion on a hot-button hunting issue and a candid reminder that how we respond—to change, disagreement, and frustration—often matters more than the issue itself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanksgiving? The wisest place to begin our Prayers

Join us today for Part 1 of this heartfelt episode of Widow 180 as I sit down with guest Courtney Pray Duke for an incredibly raw and honest conversation about sudden loss, the journey through early widowhood, and finding faith in the darkest moments.Episode Highlights:Becoming a widow at just 29, Courtney was left to raise their kids alone.What the immediate aftermath of loss feels like. How  "there's no way to plan for" that moment.Facing birthdays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas just weeks after Andrew's death. Courtney remembers her friend posting a note that read "just today" as a reminder to survive moment by moment.The struggle of parenting through personal heartbreak shines through: “Not only is your heart broken, but it's broken for your children on a whole other level. And that is probably the worst pain in the world.”Key Takeaways:The trauma of sudden loss creates a world that is both foreign and disorienting—there is no preparation, no handbook, and few words of comfort in those first hours and days.Honest conversations about how to talk to children about tragedy, and the unique pain of not being able to protect or fix their heartbreak, are central to the episode.Gratitude for the community, even in chaos.Tune into these first 35 minutes of our interview for a touching, authentic look at grief, faith, and the power of vulnerability during life's hardest seasons. This episode is filled with wisdom, empathy, and hope for anyone walking through loss or supporting someone who is.To be a guest on the podcast, email me! jen@widow180.comFind out about all of our Widow 180 Workbooks at https://www.widow180.com/workbooks Be sure to join our Facebook group, Widow 180 The Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/312036956454927Also follow us on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/widow_180/Check us out on YouTube at Widow 180: The Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-DK_dl31qMilJ5cE6t9MVQFor more blog posts and resources go to www.widow180.comQuestions? Email me at jen@widow180.com

In the days leading up to Thanksgiving 2025, the family and friends of 59-year-old Daniel Davis began to grow increasingly concerned. Dan was known as deeply reliable. His coworkers couldn't even remember him missing a single day of work in decades. Much of Dan's life revolved around his job at 115 Bourbon Street, a well-known music venue in Merrionette Park, Illinois, a southwest suburb just outside the city of Chicago.They soon learned that Dan had been involved in a car accident late on the night of Monday, November 24. After the crash, Dan was dropped off at his workplace, where he walked inside and briefly greeted the two remaining coworkers. In the early morning hours of November 25, Dan was seen walking away from 115 Bourbon Street.Once Dan's loved ones learned about the accident, questions immediately followed. Where was he, and why wasn't he answering calls or text messages? Had Dan sought medical attention afterward? As hours passed without contact, it became clear that something was wrong. Dan was reported missing to the Chicago Police Department, and surveillance footage began to surface.Almost immediately, they noticed something troubling. The surveillance footage was bizarre, but it didn't clearly point to what had happened or where Dan might have gone. When they entered his apartment, they found items left in a manner out of character, deepening the confusion rather than providing answers. The final known surveillance video of Dan was recorded on Wednesday, November 26, around 6:30 p.m. Dan was seen exiting a church in Blue Island, Illinois, a community just south of Chicago. After that moment, Dan Davis vanished without a trace.Despite exhaustive search efforts by law enforcement, family, friends, and volunteers, no further confirmed sightings or answers have emerged. Nearly two months later, what happened to Dan Davis remains a mystery.If you have any information about the disappearance of Dan Davis, please contact the Chicago Police Department Area 2 Special Victims Unit at (312) 747-8274.If you have a missing loved one that you would like to have featured on the show, please fill out our case submission form.Follow The Vanished on social media at:FacebookInstagramPatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today I'm sharing my article from December 26, 2025, "When Dinner Stops Being Ours: Cuisine, Immigration, and the Quiet Erosion of Belonging." I challenge the idea—pushed by folks like Piers Morgan—that mass immigration is worth it because it spices up "bland" Western food. While new flavors can be great, I argue through personal stories of smoking Southern barbecue in the Hudson Valley and connecting to my Mississippi roots that cuisine is far more than taste: it's a sensory anchor to identity, family, region, and nation. From Thanksgiving turkey to Fourth of July grills, shared foods build quiet solidarity. Yet fast food, global trade, and demographic shifts are quietly replacing our culinary inheritance, eroding belonging in the process. We should cherish and pass down our own traditions first—because when dinner stops being ours, a piece of home slips away.https://jonharris.substack.com/p/when-dinner-stops-being-oursSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/conversations-that-matter8971/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

One of the best parts of hosting the Geekin' on Walt Disney World Podcast is reconnecting with longtime friends who feel like family — and Episode 651 is a perfect example of that. This week, Curtis is joined once again by Holly and Dan Austin, who return to the show after a Thanksgiving-time Walt Disney World trip that turned into a full-on holiday kickoff adventure with their family of six. From smart arrival strategy and first-time water park fun to marathon park days, brand-new Fort Wilderness cabins, and honest takes on holiday parties — this episode is packed with real-world Disney insight you can actually use.

EPISODE SUMMARY Mark Groves is a human connection specialist who transformed his own painful relationship patterns into wisdom he now shares with millions. In this episode, Mark opens up about the Thanksgiving dinner betrayal that shut him down at 19, the years he spent as an emotionally unavailable guy, and the breakthrough that finally let him receive love. In this episode we dig into codependency, why chemistry fades, and what it actually takes to build a relationship where you can be fully yourself. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why a failed one-night stand taught Mark more about himself than years of relationships • The real definition of codependency and why it's not just about addiction • How to identify your "Thanksgiving dinner moment" that shaped how you love • Why the space between partners disappears and chemistry dies in long-term relationships • The question that reveals if you're being codependent in the bedroom • What "liberated love" looks like and why truth-telling is the foundation • How Mark and his wife broke up, had a closing ceremony, and came back stronger • Why your capacity to love equals your capacity to lose • The three things you can do now to get on the path toward the love you want • How parenthood changes intimacy and why the six-week clearance is misleading • What to do when you can't stop fantasizing about past flings while in a relationship More Dr. Emily:  • Shop With Emily! Explore Emily's favorite toys, pleasure accessories, bedroom essentials, and more — designed to support your pleasure and confidence. Free shipping on orders $99+ (some exclusions apply). • Join the SmartSX Membership: Access exclusive sex coaching, live expert sessions, community building, and tools to enhance your pleasure and relationships with Dr. Emily Morse. • Sex With Emily Guides: Explore pleasure, deepen connections, and enhance intimacy using these Sex With Emily downloadable guides. • The only sex book you'll ever need: Smart Sex: How to Boost Your Sex IQ and Own Your Pleasure • Want more? Visit the Sex With Emily Website • Let's get social: Instagram | X | Facebook | TikTok | Threads | YouTube • Let's text: Sign up here • Want me to slide into your email inbox? Sign Up Here for sex tips on the regular. This episode is sponsored by…  Bellesa  "EVERYONE who signs up wins a FREE toy or gift card! https://www.bboutique.co/vibe/emilymorse-podcast" Qualia Magnesium, multiplied. 10 forms for total support. Go to https://qualialife.com/SEXWITHEMILY to get 50% off and save an extra 15% with the code SEXWITHEMILY. Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 3:13 - How Mark Started Sharing Vulnerable Relationship Advice  8:31 - The Thanksgiving Dinner That Changed Everything  16:00 - Finding Your "Moment" That Shapes How You Love  20:13 - What Is Codependency Really?  30:04 - Signs You're in a Codependent Pattern  33:51 - Why Couples Stop Having Sex (It's Not What You Think)  39:17 - How Parenthood Changes Your Sex Life  51:01 - Use Your Relationship to Become Everything  54:53 - Listener Question: Can't Stop Thinking About Past Flings  1:02:55 - Quickie Q&A