Podcasts about aunt edna

Do you believe Donald Trump and Elon Musk want to steal Aunt Edna's Medicare check? Of course not. Except, mainstream media thinks we're so stupid, we'll believe anything they tell us. In today's episode of "The Real Story," Dr. Phil calls out a US Senator for his reckless media rant and, even worse, the network news anchors who let him ramble, not once questioning his absurd accusations that Trump and Musk are turning America into an arm of the Kremlin.

Tyler is joined by Zach Joachim from the Richmond Times-Dispatch to talk about his UD Arena trip, VCU's comeback, the key to the Rams' defense and more.Later, Matt and Tyler gives an ode to Vacation by going through the roadblocks from each title contender. Plus the Cousin Eddie and Aunt Edna teams.Follow us on Twitter! @3BidLeaguePodEmail: 3bidleague@gmail.comFollow Zach: @ZachJoachim @RTDNEWS

  Every year, Christmas carols promise joy and magic. But for many people, they're just soundtracks to the silent screams of stress.  Today, we're turning those festive tunes into a real survival guide to take you from bah humbug to fa la la la la la la la la. And it's gonna be fun.   I'm Dr.Vickie Petz Kasper. I'll give you practical steps to start your own journey toward better health because healthy looks great on you.    Have yourself a merry little Christmas. You may be thinking, yeah right. There's shopping, and eating, and staying up late, and people. People. Though connection is crucial, some people clearly belong on Santa's naughty list. And they get seated right next to you at the dinner party. Today, I'm going to give you a survival guide that will help you have a holly jolly Christmas this year. Because, even when you're singing Joy to the World, all that rockin around the Christmas tree can turn into a big crash. And I'm not talking about Grandma getting run over by a reindeer. You know, that song is pretty disturbing if you think about it. And while you might not be worried about a collision with a four legged beast with antlers, you probably can make a list of things that bring stress instead of comfort and joy. Let's start with those weeks leading up to the holidays. I started decorating the day after Thanksgiving singing to myself, It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. When I put it back in the attic, I'll sing, It's beginning to look a knot like Christmas.  I know, I know, my kids would say, I just set off the corn o meter. Ding, ding, ding, ding.  But let's face it, decorating and planning sets us up for festive fatigue right at the outset of the season. Yes, of course, it's the most wonderful time of the year and How's that working to set unrealistic expectations? What happens if the illusion of everyone else having a blast only magnifies what you're really feeling?  It's a setup for disappointment. Like a kid who asked for a trampoline and got a history book for Christmas. And speaking of Santa Claus coming to town, there's some pressure. Gotta be good, or you'll get a lump of coal in your stocking.  Do you hear what I hear?  Sometimes we hear sleigh bells ring ring ringing and jing jing jinging, but sometimes we hear snippy comments and conflict, all because I'll be home for Christmas. Which may involve travel, and frankly, being around people you don't particularly like. Being pulled in so many directions you feel like a gingerbread man about to break apart.  If you missed the episode on navigating connections during the holidays, I really want you to meet my fictional Aunt Edna. She's a hoot. Now, if you're like me, this year we've been dashing through the snow.  Actually, it's been so warm we've rarely even worn a coat, and we don't have a one horse open sleigh, but we do have a golf cart. But literally, my social calendar has been as full as Santa's pack when he leaves the workshop.  I'm an extrovert, so I love it. But, as a result, my sleep is off, I've gained three pounds from eating Christmas crack, and no, I am not going to share that recipe, and it's not a whole food, and it's not plant based,  and Jingle Bell Rock, it needs to happen at the gym, but honestly, I feel like I need to sleep in.  This month is halfway over and there are only a few days left to finish my shopping. And silver bells sound like, Cha ching!  Cha ching!  Whether you're braving crowds or surfing the internet to find the perfect gift for all the people in your family. Your credit card is asking for at least one silent night.  And maybe you're dreaming of a white Christmas, longing for days gone by when your stocking was full of walnuts and oranges. Things were simpler then. Nostalgia is sweet, but let's face it, our minds tend to idealize the past and sometimes what we really need to do is let go and embrace the present.  And speaking of presents, whether all you want for Christmas is your two front teeth or peace on earth, managing holiday stress is important. Now, you've already been to mini medical school and you know that stress causes increased cortisol levels, compromises your immune system, causes upset stomach, and disrupts your sleep. And that's just the physical stuff. Anxiety and depression symptoms increase, and the Polar Express brings emotional exhaustion with brain fog pumping out the smokestack.  If you missed the class on how stress increases your risk for cardiovascular disease and pretty much everything that you wouldn't wish for, there's a link in the show notes.  But if you're navigating complex family relationships, trying to avoid conflict and triggers, or Feeling social pressure to attend all the parties, or if you're feeling left out by all the perfect celebrations on social media, or you have FOMO and you always say yes, plus you have to get up and go to work the next day, or if you're feeling the financial strain of too much shopping, this is the episode for you.  Since this is a lifestyle medicine podcast, let's take a quick peek into the packages and see what lifestyle factors contribute to more holiday stress.  Unhealthy coping mechanisms.  Overindulgence in alcohol and unprocessed food, especially sugar, which increases inflammation and maybe just maybe that's why your joints are hurting more. Comfort eating. Don't be like Santa and feel obligated to eat the cookies just because they're on a plate in front of you. Avoiding exercise because you were up too late wrapping presents or watching Hallmark movies. And you know what that holiday mythology about perfect holidays can do? Set up unrealistic expectations. The comparison trap is like the Grinch stealing the Christmas tree and comparison is the ultimate thief of joy.   Irregular sleep patterns because you're reviewing your grocery list or your shopping list instead of dreaming of sugar plums dancing in your head.  By the way, if you want to learn more about how to turn off your mind and turn on restorative sleep, then I have a free cheat sheet for you. There's a link in the show notes.  Another thing is poor boundary setting. Some people just have difficulty saying no, so they overcommit. They're the people pleasers. Any of that sound familiar to you? Well, here's your holiday survival guide. We're going to look at practical tips to keep you from turning into Scrooge. Let's start with bills. No, not bells, bills. You know, electric bills, and mortgage payments, and gas, and groceries. I just want to remind you, those bills aren't going to take a holiday break, so Obviously, you don't want to spend money that you need.  And let me tell you a story. One year before Christmas, I asked my kids to name their top three favorite gifts from the previous Christmas. Try it. See what kind of answers you get. Most of the time, they can't even name one. Unless we spend it on an experience, rather than a tangible gift. And I highly recommend that, but listen, experiences can be expensive. So, survival tip number one is, it helps to have a holiday spending budget.  You need an emotional budget too, but we'll get to that in a bit. First, finances. There are budgeting apps you can use, you can put those on your phone.  You might think about dividing your spending into categories and setting limits for each. And when it comes to gifts, remember, three was enough for Jesus, it's enough for your little one too. Or, if you want to splurge, use the four gift rule. Something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read.  Let me give you some advice about a common mistake. Do you think that you have to spend the same amount on everyone?  Listen, this is a never ending merry go round of trying to even it up. And I hope my kids are secure enough in our relationship to know that if I spend more on one than the other, it's not a reflection of anything except that I only bought what I thought they really wanted.  And what about family gifts? You know how everyone money launders gift cards for all those teenage boys in your family? It's kind of silly and we quit doing it years ago. No gifts for anyone except immediate family and that has made the holiday season so much more enjoyable. We play games instead of exchanging gifts.  But if you think you can't give it up completely, try some homemade gifts, like a scrapbook, homemade jelly, or if you're handy with a hammer, maybe a birdhouse. It's so much more meaningful. And it won't be forgotten by next year. Or maybe do a Santa gift exchange with a reasonable spending limit. Or if you really like each other, plan an experience together.   And if you need a small gift, you might want to buy my book, Dressing the Wound, Give Yourself the Gift of Forgiveness. It's a short book I wrote, and it's available on Amazon for about 5. There's a link in the show notes. Another idea is to donate to charity in someone's name. Yes, it still costs money, but it takes the pressure off of searching for something for hours, spending money, and then wondering if they're even going to like it.  You could also give the gift of yourself and services. Offer to babysit or cook a meal.  Now, it's a little late for this strategy, but it might help to start early and spread out your expenses over the year. Hey, you could even start right after Christmas this year and hit the sales for next year. One thing you need to watch for. Sometimes you buy a little along the way and then you forget, so you buy more. So keep track of it.  And there are ways to save money. Often, if you're shopping online, you can get discounts for signing up for their email list. Speaking of email list, are you on mine? If not, sign up and you'll get a discount on the next podcast episode.  Just kidding. The podcast is free for you, but I do have lots of bonuses for  subscribers.  Cashback programs. I use Rakuten. You can earn points by using a credit card and set it so that you pay it off automatically at the end of each month or you might end up spending more in interest and it's a good way to get in over your head quickly.   Practice saying no to unnecessary spending and focus on meaningful connections over material gifts. But listen, give. There are so many people struggling to make Christmas happen for their kids and there are elderly people in nursing facilities who are in need.  Christmas is a time to give a year end gift to missions, your church, or a charitable organization. It is truly more blessed to give than receive.  And in addition to a financial plan and budget, you need to manage your physical, mental, and emotional energy too. And part of that involves navigating relationships and communication.  Can I just be honest for a sec?  I totally failed at this one this week. So, this advice, it's for me. But, I suspect you could use it too. Tip number two for your holiday stress guide is set expectations. You know, blessed are those who expect nothing because they're never disappointed. Okay Eeyore, let's just be realistic. We all have expectations and they can lead to more conflict. The goal is to set realistic expectations and to clearly communicate those expectations. In advance. This requires a conversation. You can do it on the phone, in person, or you might even try an email thread or a family group text to have a discussion in advance about expectations, limitations, and boundaries. This needs to be non confrontational and the language should be neutral and collaborative.  Man, I wish I would have had this guide earlier this week.   After your better than I did discussion, send a follow up gentle reminder message outlining the plans you agreed on. Provide context for your decisions and offer alternatives when possible. And once you've set realistic expectations, It's time to establish boundaries. Be clear and be kind. Use I statements and explain your personal needs without blaming someone else. Remember, this isn't a wish list for Santa's elves. This is trying to connect with the people you love. So provide rationale for your boundaries and again, offer compromise where appropriate.  None of this is a guarantee there won't be conflict. So let's look at some conflict resolution strategies.  Active listening techniques go a long way. When you're listening, you need to look like you're listening, and you need to act like you're listening. This is super important. Tip number three is communicate. Probably most of us have finished all of our Santa shopping only to hear our little darling declare that their most wanted Christmas wish wasn't even on our radar. The problem with communication is making the mistake of thinking that it actually happened. Learn to listen.  It helps to reflect, repeat back what you've heard, ask clarifying questions, show genuine interest and validate other people's feelings with phrases like, I understand why this is important to you, I can see why you might feel that way, and your feelings are valid. Emotional intelligence comes into play, but everyone's not playing on the same field. So recognize your own underlying emotions and separate intent from impact you see, we tend to judge others by our intentions and then we judge others by their actions. Don't assume you know what someone is thinking. Avoid defensive responses and practice empathy.  It takes practice. This doesn't always work, so if you do get into a difficult conversation, try to de escalate by maintaining a calm, soft voice without accusatory language. And if the tension really rises, take a break. Try to find common ground. Try to find a win win solution, but be willing to compromise and focus on preserving the relationship because that's what really matters.  Tip number four is budget your energy. Over commitment leads to overstressed.  Learn to say no, but do it politely. I appreciate the invitation, but I won't be able to make it this year.  Now, let's talk about physical well being. Tip number five. As much as possible, try to maintain your routine. Your routine for eating, sleeping, exercising, and managing stress. I know, I know, trust me, I've seen the big hand on the six and the little hand on the ten twice as often as normal just this week. But, I've also felt the effects. Try to maintain your movement or exercise routine and don't forget nutrition. Listen, the most important advice I can give you is start your meal with fiber. It's critical for gut health and it helps even if you're going to eat those bacon wrapped crackers afterwards. And remember, sleep matters. Sleep hygiene can help unless you already suffer from insomnia. Then, maybe not so much. You're going to want to stay tuned for the next series. It's going to be on sleep.  If you need a resource, visit my website and grab that tip sheet on how to turn off your mind.  All six pillars of lifestyle medicine have an impact on your holiday attitude. Let's wind up this series with this focus on stress. And we've already discussed managing expectations and setting boundaries with your time and energy. Now, let's look at some practical tips for regulating your emotions. Tip number six. Since we're using Christmas carols to frame this episode, how about singing to relieve stress and reset your mood?  I'd like to read you a text I got from my son in law. With his permission, of course.   Hopefully this time I can read it without choking up.  He was talking about his oldest son, my little grandson. And he said, we like to shut off all the lights, put the Christmas tree in the fireplace, and play Christmas songs. He asked me for a special one tonight. Not a Grinch one, lol. There's one that stands out. It's not catchy or particularly memorable, but my grandpa loved it. He used to look like he was a thousand miles away when he played it on a vinyl record. He told me on Christmas Eve, 1944, he had gotten a letter that one of my grandma's brothers, his future brother in law, was unaccounted for at the Battle of the Bulge.  Another brother was at Bastogne, with the 101st Airborne and the 3rd was in the Philippines. His unit sat down to eat and this song played and they were all choked up.  Just a bunch of 20 something year olds trying to hide it. A few weeks later, he'd start prepping for D Day. Most of those men didn't make it.  He said, oddly, Christmas was simpler, a reminder of God's blessings. of family and home.  I thought of it last week and sat downstairs at your house one night and after everyone went to bed, listened to it.  It was nice to be home with y'all.  Okay, I got choked up a little,  but if you're like me and you can't sing, listen to music. And tip number seven is  remember to breathe.  There are some specific breathing exercises that help manage stress. The 4 7 8 breathing method where you inhale for four seconds.  Hold your breath for 7 seconds,  exhale slowly for 8 seconds.  Repeat this if you're feeling overwhelmed or do the box breathing technique where you inhale for 4 seconds, hold it for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds, hold it for 4 seconds. And you know what? Even if you can't hit the high notes of heavenly peace, sing anyway.  Tip number eight is read the Christmas story and meditate on its truths and pray.  And tip number nine is  practice gratitude. You want to know why we always recommend practicing gratitude?  Because gratitude equals contentment. And I can hardly think of anything that alleviates the stress of the holidays more than contentment. Be content with the gifts you buy and content with the gifts you receive.  Love the home you have and all that is in it, including the people.  Accept the family you have. Not the family you wish they were. When you don't feel grateful, take a walk. God reveals his very self to us in nature, and that goes a long way in resetting your mindset.   I hope you'll follow me into the new year. We're going to start 2025 by focusing on a good night's sleep,  but we're going to keep focusing on all the pillars of lifestyle medicine. You are such a blessing to me.  Tip number 10. Don't get overwhelmed. Don't overindulge, but don't miss the moments. Keep Christmas simple. Sit on the stairs, turn off the lights, listen to music, but also embrace the opportunities.  Like eating the toffee that my neighbor gave me yesterday. After all, it's Christmas and managing expectations may mean making some exceptions. The bottom line is, stress is inevitable during the holidays. You cannot avoid it, but you can manage it. It's a skill that can be learned, but like any skill, It takes repetition and practice. So if you cry and pout, give yourself some grace because it is a wonderful life. Really? Because though there's no miracle on 34th street, there is a miracle. That is the reason for the season. And don't forget, that's what we're really celebrating.  The birth of Jesus brings perfect peace. He came to earth to do for us what we can't do for ourselves. So, hark the herald, angels sing, glory to the newborn king, peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled. Have a merry, healthy Christmas because healthy looks great on you.   Free cheat sheet to turn off your mind and turn on restorative sleep   Meet Aunt Edna Manage your stress Stronger than stress Order my book

Get ready to rock around the Christmas tree!

The holidays are coming fast. I hope you're looking forward to gathering around the table, but sometimes family conflicts can Social anxiety and just the pressure to meet expectations can make you feel a sense of dread rather than anticipation. Stay tuned for practical tips on navigating connections through the holidays.  This is episode 146, Navigating Connections During the Holidays.  Holiday stress is real.  I'll bring the sweet potatoes, you bring the cranberry sauce, and someone, I'm not naming names, will bring a grudge, an attitude, or some equally distasteful dish. It can be challenging when we bring all our different personalities around the table.  Whether it's family, co workers, or friend groups, it's enough to make you dread social gatherings. But it doesn't have to be that way. Today you'll learn some practical tips to help you navigate holiday gatherings so you get that boost of oxytocin that makes you feel oh, so good. By the end of this episode, you'll be prepared to handle whatever is served this year. Except maybe fruitcake. No.   But I hope you'll look forward to gatherings in anticipation and not dread.  What is your family tradition? In my family, we joke that if we ever do something one time, my mom will say it's a tradition and she will want to do it that way from then on. And listen, this is a double edged sword. On one hand, traditions are comfortable. We know what we're doing, when we're doing it, where we're going, and there is no need for discussion or decisions. And that can be nice. No pressure, right?  Well, the problem is, things always change. Kids grow up and get married. Or, people move away and have to take time off work to travel home. Or get divorced and kids have to split their time with each parent. Trust me, I know about these things. And to be honest, sometimes it still makes me mad. But I know it's even harder for my grown kids. Feeling the pull of obligation is no fun. So, I try to be flexible to ease their stress. And some of you may not have family or a close knit group to celebrate with. And that can magnify your loneliness. Isolation during the holidays is especially painful, and I've been there too. My kids live far away, and I was single for many years. And though I'm blessed to have a very loving family that get along, it's not the same as it used to be when I set up card tables throughout the house, complete with tablecloths and centerpieces in my grandmother's beautiful China.  Now, maybe you're one of those people who likes paper plates. I'm going to tell you the truth. It just hurts me. I mean, what is China for if it's not for special occasions?  Okay, here's what I just did. I inserted my expectations and my vision for the ideal holiday right here in the middle of the podcast.   While some of you think there's incredible beauty in just walking to the trash can after a big dinner and dumping it all without having waterlogged hands from washing all those dishes. And that, my friends, is a perfect example of conflicting expectations. No wonder it's stressful. We just got crossways and I'm the only one doing the talking. Well, yes, and you see, that can be a problem too. Listen, stress during the holidays is nearly universal. In fact, it's reported that the majority of adults deal with an extra dose of stress during the holidays. For people who already struggle with their mental health, this can be serious.  Depression and anxiety can reach critical levels.  Loneliness during the holidays is often worse than loneliness on a pretty summer day. And loneliness increases the risk of heart disease, dementia, high blood pressure, stroke, and premature death.  While we're on the subject of physical health, let's go to mini medical school and walk through some areas of the brain where we feel dread and anticipation. And yes, It's in the same location, the amygdala. It's a little almond shaped part of the brain that's located deep in the temporal lobe and it's part of the limbic system. And this means that it's intricately involved in processing memory and emotion. And boy, oh boy, don't those two things go together like turkey and dressing.  Here's what happens. You know that Aunt Edna has been invited to dinner. Aunt Edna, who criticizes what you cooked, your weight, and the color of your shirt. That, Aunt Edna. You remember her, don't you? Well, your amygdala certainly does, so it sends signals to other parts of the brain, like the hypothalamus, which mobilizes the troops and dumps cortisol and epinephrine into your system.  We call it the fight or flight response, but your mama isn't going to let you fly away and she's certainly not going to let you fight Aunt Edna. So you'll just have to sit there, heart pounding, palms sweating, and teeth clenched in dread.  But remember, anticipation is experienced in the exact same part of the brain and the amygdala plays a crucial role in that. in our responses, tapping into our memories from past holidays filled with either conflict or delight.  Knowing neuroanatomy isn't going to help you navigate holiday dinners, so what are we to do?  First of all, don't ever let people push the buttons they installed. You know what I mean, they say this, you do that, rewind, repeat. Happens every time. In fact, you can see everyone's face right from the start. You've seen this play out before, I'm sure. So instead of dreading it, anticipate it. And, rehearse a different response.  She says, have you thought about trying a new diet? Or, I cannot believe you voted for,  Or, did your husband ever find a job so he could support you?  Without a plan, there's usually a reaction and sometimes it's nuclear. Either sulled up and not talking or saying the exact same thing you said last year. Word for word.  But that's not going to happen this year. Why? Because you're going to have the tools to redirect the conversation. First of all, push pause. Remember lining up dominoes as a kid? You'd tap the first one and watch the chain reaction. And that is exactly what Aunt Edna is doing. She's tapping the dominoes, ready to see them fall. But, if you put just a little more space between her comment and your response, then you have the power to interrupt the cascade.  Try taking a deep breath in this space. In through your mouth, out through your nose, that's it, one more time. Now, smile.  It's unexpected. Throws everyone off balance. I dare ya.  Now, you're ready to respond because you've prepared a script for this in advance.  You knew she'd bring it up. She always does. But this time, you've rehearsed a different response, and you're ready.  Don't forget, your response is kind and it decompresses the tension.  See? Wasn't that easy?  No?  Okay, keep rewriting and rehearsing your response until you get it down.  And try asking questions. This is a non threatening form of conversation that can steer things in a different direction. You see, when you ask a question, multiple areas of your brain start to engage. You start viewing the topic from a different angle and exploring different perspectives and you get a surge of serotonin, the happy hormone. The person being asked a question is now in the driver's seat and it feels good with serotonin relaxing the brain, which results in thinking more clearly and having better insight and understanding. of the whole picture. Now, that really was easier, wasn't it?  Need more neurotransmitter weapons? Well, when you ask a question, the areas of the brain that are associated with reward and pleasure light up. Because curiosity is activated.  And, to top things off, dopamine is released. And that's better than whipped cream on pumpkin pie.  Oh, you don't like pumpkin pie? Well, you probably don't like my shirt either, but we're not going to discuss that at the dinner table.  But think about it. When someone asks you a question, it interrupts the negative highway that your brain is traveling down and that's And that can help with anxiety and stress and change the direction of your emotions. When we're trying to answer a question, we self reflect. And we get a grip on our emotions and run away thoughts. And the end result is better emotional regulation.  Asking questions helps you create openness and positive emotional connections with others.   And that releases oxytocin and love fills your home along with the aroma of roasting sweet potatoes.  Strong social connections increase our chances of longevity and boost our immune system by reducing inflammation, which is responsible for lots of negative health conditions.  It's also associated with mental health benefits. Lowering anxiety and depression, and boosting self esteem, empathy, and trust.  It all works to create a positive feedback loop. And it's not just about having people around, it's about the quality of those connections and how they contribute to our overall quality of life.  So, next time you find yourself reacting, take a deep breath, smile, Rely on your rehearsed response and ask genuine questions. And listen, if they aren't genuine, you've defeated the purpose. And the purpose is a better sense of mental and emotional well being for all.  Let's don't stop there. Let's look at some of the other pillars of lifestyle medicine and how they can help you make a holiday memorable. In a good way.  I hope you're going into this holiday season with some good health habits like good quality sleep, regular activity, and nutritious eating. And listen, it's not too late to start. There are some resources for you in the show notes to help, including an episode about how food affects mood. So let's take a peek in the oven. Many traditional holiday foods are packed with vitamins and minerals. Things like sweet potatoes and green beans. Also pumpkin, Brussels sprouts and cranberry add color and nutrients. On the other hand, fatty foods and rich sweet foods can lead to a sugar induced roller coaster of emotions. And overindulgence in caffeine, sugar, and alcohol don't help either. And neither do foods that are too high in salt. And all of this is more of a challenge if you're a stress eater. The best advice I can give you is, fill up on the good stuff, and then enjoy all of your favorite foods in moderation.  Cook your sweet potatoes without heaps of butter and sugar and top with black beans instead.  I'm sharing a recipe with my email followers, so sign up today if you aren't on my list. And maybe leave off 3 pounds of cheese in the vegetable casseroles and just enjoy the taste of the vegetables instead.  It's easy to just eat mindlessly, but instead, savor your food, making conscious choices to maintain your health and mental well being.  And get up and move around. Incorporating physical activity into your holiday routine will give you an instant boost. Try it. You'll actually have more energy. Physical activity helps you manage stress and improves mood by releasing endorphins and lowering cortisol.  And you know what else helps? A good night's sleep. And here's the deal. Many people get less than adequate sleep, especially during the holidays. Well, let's face it, some people just constantly struggle, and if this is you, you're going to want to sign up to receive three simple steps to create the perfect sleep sanctuary. It's a good way to get started getting your Z's  When you don't sleep, you can't regulate your emotions as well.  And we all know what happens when Aunt Edna pushes your buttons, and you're sleep deprived. Handling holiday stress is hard enough without the added challenge of trying to function after tossing and turning all night. Decision making, problem solving, and memory are all part of the process. You are all impacted by poor sleep. Don't test your limits of dealing with difficult people and situations by staying up too late. You'll be better able to control your reaction, plan and focus with a good night's rest. Plus, without sleep, your immune system is weaker and a few germs are sure to be on the guest list at parties and holiday gatherings.  Bronchitis?  Ain't nobody got time for that.  I don't mean to make it sound like getting together is hard. It's hard. I mean, it can be, but it can also be super rewarding. Social interaction is crucial for good health. It's worth the effort. So stay connected to family and your community. During the holidays, there are extra opportunities to engage with church and philanthropic activities. And that goes a long way in reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness.  But listen, you can't please everyone, so stop trying.  Spend some quality time with people who bring out the best in you. Enjoy the moments and be grateful.  Gratitude goes a long way in bringing joy to the season. If you're focused on thankfulness, you'll be more resilient and less susceptible to stress because it lowers cortisol levels. Gratitude strengthens relationships, and you get a boost of oxytocin as a bonus.  If you missed the episode on gratitude, there are some practical tips there that I think you'll find useful. So I put a link in the show notes, but also make sure you're on my email list because I created a lovely card to use to express your gratitude for others. And I believe this one action has the power to transform your holiday gathering. Be sure and sign up today. I hope you'll take a moment to reflect on this past year and shift your focus to all the blessings that you've had. And even if you're struggling, take a hike, literally, get out in nature. You might be surprised at the difference being in God's creation makes. And lastly, manage your expectations.   That starts with clear communication in advance. But don't  think your plans are concrete. Things happen. Be flexible and let go of perfection. Trying to control all the details will make you and everyone around you miserable. The holidays can certainly bring mixed feelings and extra helpings of stress. So, set some boundaries for yourself when you need to. My oldest daughter turned 35 this week, and I remember when she was born, just a little bit before Thanksgiving. Our pediatrician recommended that we not travel even the 30 minutes to feast with family. And listen, after the delivery that I had, I was just fine with that,  but my in laws showed up anyway with leftovers in Tupperware containers and they passed my little baby around from person to person. I was exhausted emotionally, physically, and mentally. And the last thing I needed was wall to wall people in my tiny little apartment. So guess what I did?  I went to bed and I took my baby with me. Yep, it might have been 6 p. m., but I was at my limit and I knew it and that is how everyone got out unharmed. So give yourself permission to shut the door and lay down if you need to.  And remember to be flexible. Thanksgiving 2020 fell in the middle of the COVID pandemic. I was chief medical officer of a hospital and the toll the virus took on my little community was enough to give me pause about hosting my elderly parents, Toddler grandbaby, and everyone in between. So guess what I did? I covered my patio tables with tablecloths, hauled my dining room chairs outside, and carefully put china and silverware at each place setting. Because we weren't going to use paper plates. Fortunately, it was a balmy day and we sat together as families. And here's the deal. Thanksgiving's run together in my memory But that one stands out. So embrace the opportunity to be flexible. You might just make a lasting memory, rather than allowing an inconvenience to ruin the season.  But if you have particularly difficult challenges, It might help to visit with a counselor to help you navigate your dread. Because if you prepare, you can look forward to the holidays with a jolly, healthy attitude.  And remember, if you missed last week's episode, I highly recommend it. Of course, there's a link in the show notes, and if you're on my email list, you'll be getting that downloadable card to help you focus on the positives and be grateful for the people in your life. And you know, if you have difficult people in your life, Be thankful you have people in your life. Pray about it, show compassion, empathy, patience and appreciation, and see if it doesn't change the atmosphere. If you can go into the holidays with a healthy attitude, it can be a blessing for you and your family, and healthy looks great on you.          

Send us a textThis week's story is, “I Accidentally Summoned Stan Instead of Satan,” by Blair Daniels.This episode could also be titled, “Be careful of what you wish for, and really watch your spelling.”   In our story, some young girls learn the hard way that summoning Satan may not be the best way to spend a girl's weekend. Humans have wanted to speak to specters from the beyond for centuries. Perhaps to say, “I love you,” a last “Good-bye,” or find out where Aunt Edna hid her diamonds, people have tried many methods to contact the dead.  To have some fun, we'll dive into some excerpts from The Spiritualist, a magazine from the 1800's devoted to contacting the dead.MusicFesliyan Studios: "Ghost Stories," "Scary Music"Audio Jungle: "Halloween Waltzes"Narration: Robert BreaultPlease join us! Like and follow our Facebook page to become " patron of the Cemetery Hills Library, or (even better!)  jump on our Patreon page and become a VIP Patron.                         Mugs, tee-shirts and eternal thanks await you!                                                                  Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=61177769&fan_landing=trueWebpage: http://www.afterwordsparanormal.comFacebook: After Words Paranormal PodcastEmail: afterwordsstories@gmail.com    

Send us a textThis week's story is, “I Accidentally Summoned Stan Instead of Satan,” by Blair Daniels.This episode could also be titled, “Be careful of what you wish for, and really watch your spelling.”   In our story, some young girls learn the hard way that summoning Satan may not be the best way to spend a girl's weekend. Humans have wanted to speak to specters from the beyond for centuries. Perhaps to say, “I love you,” a last “Good-bye,” or find out where Aunt Edna hid her diamonds, people have tried many methods to contact the dead.  To have some fun, we'll dive into some excerpts from The Spiritualist, a magazine from the 1800's devoted to contacting the dead.MusicFesliyan Studios: "Ghost Stories," "Scary Music"Audio Jungle: "Halloween Waltzes"Narration: Robert BreaultPlease join us! Like and follow our Facebook page to become " patron of the Cemetery Hills Library, or (even better!)  jump on our Patreon page and become a VIP Patron.                         Mugs, tee-shirts and eternal thanks await you!                                                                  Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=61177769&fan_landing=trueWebpage: http://www.afterwordsparanormal.comFacebook: After Words Paranormal PodcastEmail: afterwordsstories@gmail.com    

It's April once again and you know what that means... all through the month of April the Bad Princess Movies podcast will be taking a look at movies focused on Prince characters. Our first Prince movie for 2024 is Mio in the Land of Faraway, a film based off a novel by the illustrious Astrid Lindgren (Best known for the Pippi Longstocking series). Kristi has a lot of fondness for this movie, but how does Bri enjoy the tale of little Mio in his adventures in the Land of Faraway? Come and join us as we discuss among other things Aunt Edna being the absolute worst, stone-cold villains and their frog-petting ways, and whether or not this film is best viewed at 1.5 times speed. 

Death and Taxes befall Aunt Edna's Pies. Let's grab our calculators and a big piece of pie and watch Jessica out smart the IRS and uncover a $2 million embezzlement. https://www.patreon.com/Thefletcherfiles

I love the holidays... and they can often mean time around extended family that can be super triggering.    So if you're bracing for Aunt Edna's constant commentary, grandma's passive aggressive tone, and Uncle Bill's parenting advice (ugh) - I've got you.     Here's the good news - there are things you can do to regulate your nervous system so that these challenging family dynamics don't set you off.   Three things you'll learn in this episode: How to resource yourself before stepping into triggering situations so your nervous system is best prepared How you can set healthy and loving boundaries around time with extended family Ways to regulate when you notice yourself becoming activated in social situations   TAKE THE PERSONALITY PATTERN QUIZ!   ASK MICHELLE A QUESTION!   REGULATION RESOURCES   BOOK A FREE 30-MINUTE CALL WITH MICHELLE   FB COMMUNITY: The Calm Mom Collective   JOIN ME ON INSTAGRAM: @michellegrosser.coach “I love The Calm Mom Podcast!” ← if that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show!  This helps us support more women, just like you, on their motherhood journey.  Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.”  Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

"National Lampoon's Vacation," released in 1983, is a classic American road comedy film that has stood the test of time. Directed by Harold Ramis and written by John Hughes, based on his own short story, the film presents a hilariously exaggerated portrayal of a family road trip that turns into a series of misadventures. It stars Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold, a well-intentioned but bumbling father who is determined to take his family on a cross-country trip to the fictional amusement park, Walley World.The premise of the movie is simple yet effective. Clark Griswold, eager to spend quality time with his wife Ellen (played by Beverly D'Angelo) and their two children, Rusty and Audrey, plans a meticulously detailed road trip. From the onset, it's clear that his idealistic visions are doomed to clash with reality. This setup is a fertile ground for comedy, and the film delivers it in spades.Chevy Chase's portrayal of Clark is a standout. He brings a unique blend of optimism and naivety to the character, making him both endearing and frustrating. His performance captures the essence of a father trying too hard to create the perfect vacation experience for his family, only to see his efforts comically thwarted at every turn. The dynamic within the Griswold family is one of the film's strengths. Beverly D'Angelo delivers a solid performance as Ellen, providing a voice of reason amidst the chaos. The children, played by Anthony Michael Hall and Dana Barron, contribute to the film's humour with their teenage angst and sibling bickering.One of the movie's most memorable aspects is its episodic structure, which sees the family encountering various obstacles and quirky characters along their journey. This structure keeps the narrative fresh and unpredictable. Each segment of their trip introduces new comedic scenarios, from the iconic scene with the deceased Aunt Edna on the roof of the car to the hilarious encounters with Cousin Eddie, played brilliantly by Randy Quaid.The humour in "National Lampoon's Vacation" ranges from slapstick to subtle satirical jabs at American culture. The film satirizes the quintessential American road trip, highlighting how the pursuit of a perfect family vacation can devolve into a disastrous and absurd ordeal. The comedic timing is impeccable, with each gag and joke landing effectively without feeling forced.However, what truly sets this film apart is its underlying heart. Amidst all the chaos and comedy, it's a film about family bonding and the lengths to which a parent will go to provide happiness for their family. This emotional core is what resonates with audiences and has helped the film maintain its appeal over the years.Visually, the film is a product of its time, with a distinct early 80s aesthetic. The cinematography is straightforward, focusing more on the characters and their interactions than on visual flair. The soundtrack, featuring the catchy theme song "Holiday Road" by Lindsey Buckingham, complements the film's upbeat and adventurous tone.From a critical standpoint, "National Lampoon's Vacation" might not be a cinematic masterpiece in the traditional sense. Its humour can be seen as dated or over-the-top by contemporary standards. However, its cultural impact and status as a comedy classic are undeniable. The film spawned several sequels, though none quite captured the magic of the original.In conclusion, "National Lampoon's Vacation" is a quintessential comedy film that has left an indelible mark on American pop culture. Its blend of humour, heart, and a touch of absurdity makes it a delightful watch even decades after its release. Chevy Chase's performance as Clark Griswold remains one of his most iconic roles, cementing the film's place in the pantheon of classic American comedies. While it may not cater to all tastes, its status as a beloved family road trip comedy is well-deserved, making it a must-watch for fans of the genre.Please follow the Podcast and join our community at https://linktr.ee/borntowatchpodcast If you are looking to start a podcast and want a host or get guests to pipe in remotely, look no further than Riverside.fmClick the link below https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_1&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=matthew

We dig into some substantial British cinema offerings in a Lilli Palmer Acteurist Oeuvre-view episode that's heavy on wartime themes: Thunder Rock (1942), a philosophical examination of the disillusionment of a leftist; dramatically illustrated in a surprising way; The Gentle Sex (1943), Leslie Howard's eccentric and affecting semi-documentary about women in the British Army; and English Without Tears (1944), Terence Rattigan and Anatole de Grunwald's examination of the transformations taking place in British society as the result of the war in the form of a romantic comedy with a slightly kinky outlook (but don't tell Aunt Edna). Lilli Palmer contributes her comedic and dramatic talents and the gravitas of her personal history to these wonderful ensemble casts.  Time Codes: 0h 00m 45s:      THUNDER ROCK (1942) [dirs. Roy & John Boulting] 0h 46m 08s:      THE GENTLE SEX (1943) [dir. Leslie Howard] 0h 59m 38s:       ENGLISH WITHOUT TEARS (1944) [dir. Harold French] +++ Reading on THUNDER ROCK from Halliwell's Harvest by Leslie Halliwell +++ * Listen to our guest episode on The Criterion Project – a discussion of Late Spring * Marvel at our meticulously ridiculous Complete Viewing Schedule for the 2020s * Intro Song: “Sunday” by Jean Goldkette Orchestra with the Keller Sisters (courtesy of The Internet Archive) * Read Elise's piece on Gangs of New York – “Making America Strange Again” * Check out Dave's Robert Benchley blog – an attempt to annotate and reflect upon as many of the master humorist's 2000+ pieces as he can locate – Benchley Data: A Wayward Annotation Project!  Follow us on Twitter at @therebuggy Write to us at therebuggy@gmail.com We now have a Discord server - just drop us a line if you'd like to join! 

“Let the Spirit Of Excellence be your North Star.” - Mac McNeilJeffrey Feldberg and Mac McNeil talk about little known but effective strategies of leadership. Matt shares his origin story from the military to the corporate world and the excess he accumulated by leveraging the strategies shared.Mac talks about the challenges that leaders face today with the influx of AI in a post pandemic world. Jeffrey and Mac reveal strategies on how to get the most out of team members in a way that has the team understand the task at hand while enjoying the process.Mac shares the methodology that he is now taken from the arena of business and life and put into his book. My great aunt Edna.Weather starting out in business or you're a successful entrepreneur, the strategies and tactics revealed help you grow profits, increase the value of your business, and help you set up a post exit life for success.Click here to subscribe to The Deep Wealth Podcast to save time and effort.SELECTED LINKS FOR THIS EPISODEMy Great Aunt EDNA | InstagramMy Great Aunt EDNA | FacebookMy Great Aunt EDNA - YouTubeMy Great Aunt EDNA | LinkedInCockroach Startups: What You Need To Know To Succeed And ProsperFREE Deep Wealth eBook on Why You Suck At Selling Your Business And What You Can Do About It (Today)Book Your FREE Deep Wealth Strategy CallResources To Have You Thrive And ProsperThe Deep Wealth Podcast helps you extract your business and personal deep wealth. You'll learn and master the foundational strategies in the Deep Wealth 9-step Roadmap. These are the same strategies that our co-founder, Jeffrey Feldberg, leveraged for his 9-figure exit.Enroll in the 90-day Deep Wealth Mastery program to grow profits, increase the value of your business, and optimize your post-exit life. Send an e-mail to insights{at}deepwealth.com with the words "Deep Wealth" in the subject line for more information. Click the link below to access the resources, gear, and books that either our guests or the Deep Wealth team leverage to increase success:https://www.deepwealth.com/thriveContact Deep Wealth: The Deep Wealth Strategy Map Tweet @JeffreyFeldberg LinkedIn Instagram Subscribe to The Deep Wealth Podcast Email podcast[at]deepwealth[dot]com Help us pay it forward by leaving a review.May you continue to thrive and prosper while remaining healthy ...

Aunt Yvonne and Uncle Emmett Adolph. She says nobody has pencils down there to write to her - because of a strike (ha ha). Emmett says Yvonne and Helen feeding their faces. He's been going out with Jim fishing and trawling, shrimping. Said it's a damn shame they hadn't written due the strike (ha ha). Rocky had traded his car for a truck. Yvonne got a mouth full of dumplings and she's trying to talk. Wishes Marilyn and D.D. best of luck. He'll try to write a letter... Nothing new going on. Helen and Yvonne had a big laugh at Emmett talking on the tape and he said he wasn't going to talk on the tape anymore. They laugh so much. Kept trying to tell about Uncle Ernest and Aunt Edna's new "yeller" car. Helen Mae "MawMaw" expresses her disgust over some tenants moving out leaving a trailier filthy. Talked to John Meyers who lived in E.J.'s trailer. Hired 12-16 new teachers. Linda Cooper from Baton Rouge and is the P.E. teacher, short and skinny.. "about like "Jerolyn." Super friendlly too. Carolyn Bergeron really has their place looking nice. Craig got sick as a dog after swimming in the hot sun over at Rodney Buras' house. Monday- Telephone man comes to the door. Boy Ray moved in and followed Clarence "PawPaw" all over with hopes of riding his tractor but MawMaw said that was for his grandkids. Wendy Fitzgerald stops by and gives some updates. Her phone has been out of order and no one checked in on her. Steve's got get to town. Steve's teacher is Mr. Carter. John Dirk Fitzgerald took his first step. Steve eating ice cream and didn't have much to say but will be getting Bicentennial ice cream. Steve was mistaken for Jason at church with his yellow outfit. Steve said he misses everyone and wants us home so they don't have to write anymore. He'll be starting school in two weeks. August 24. Visiting the Louviere's the night before. Craig Bergeron staying at MawMaw's and mentions the new bridge that opened and they go on it every time they go to church. Gets aggravated with Kyle for tying knots in a rope. Kyle starts to tell a story but Craig said he already told that so then Kyle stopped recording. MawMaw didn't "mail no letter" but she's trying. Gail working a new mail route. Kids can get into so much trouble if they're left by themselves. Wednesday, August 25. Still on the tape and "hadn't mailed a thing this week" and so busy. Yes, they still get the Deep River eggs. Still deal with the Delta, no IGA yet. Finds the store in Venice too high. Clarence out planting potatoes. Supposed to go out in the bayou with Uncle Nicky and Aunt Theresa. Johnny is bringing his mother "Mrs. George Jones" and MawMaw doesn't know what kind of person she is. She said no one comes around when there's work to be done. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jason-scarabin/message

Strength matters, you know this, I know this, hell, I bet your Aunt Edna from Altoona, Iowa knows this. But here's the thing, lots of strength with lots of body weight isn't the best thing for you. Have a look at the general health of powerlifters and strongman competitors. They ain't too healthy. Relative strength, on the other hand, is powerful stuff. It's foundational to health, performance, and longevity.  In this episode of the Beyond Strength Show, Chris and Todd talk about… wait for it… relative strength! Want to read the accompanying blog? https://www.bspnova.com/relative-strength-what-it-is-why-we-test-it-and-how-to-build-it/ Connect with Beyond Strength on Instagram: https://instagram.com/itsbeyondstrength Follow Chris's Threads training journal for his upcoming 50-miler here: https://www.threads.net/@chrisbeyondstrength Ready to join Beyond Strength: 1️⃣ Local to Northern Virginia: Sign up for your FREE intro at www.bspnova.com

What is excellence in leadership?Contrary to what many people think, excellence has nothing to do with the results we get but how we do things. Excellence is not about the outcome; it is about the process.Today, I'm joined by the inspiring Mac McNeil, a top-performing executive and an accomplished leader with a diverse military intelligence, business, and financial management background.Mac is the Author of the leadership book and newsletter "My Great Aunt EDNA" and was named among the 10 Most Influential Black Corporate Leaders to Watch in 2023 by CIO Views Magazine. Over the years, Mac has held key positions at the most prestigious financial institutions in the world, like JP Morgan Chase and Bank of America.In this episode together, we hear about Mac's backstory and how growing up in Germany in the '80s, plus his experiences in the US Army, contributed to molding what excellence means to him. We talk about leadership, leading by example, and the experiences that inspired Mac to create EDNA's leadership principles.Additionally, Mac shares a fantastic story about leadership inspired by the great Miles Davis, talks about "the broken mirror," and so much more.Tune in to Episode 384 of Becoming Your Best, and learn more about Mac's leadership principles.Some Questions I Ask: Please, tell us about your Great Aunt EDNA; tell us about your book (5:10) What does the spirit of excellence mean for you? (6:40)In This Episode, You Will Learn: A bit about Mac's background (3:50) Mac shares a lesson learned from a teller working at the Bank of America (8:50) The leadership style of Miles Davis (12:00) Mac explains the leadership principles of EDNA (17:10) How to know you are doing things right as a leader (22:20)Resources: Book: Mac McNeil - My Great Aunt EDNA: The Golden Girl of LeadershipConnect with Mac: LinkedInBecoming Your Best Resources: Becoming Your Best WebsiteBecoming Your Best University WebsiteBecoming Your Best LibraryEmail: support@becomingyourbest.com Book: Becoming Your Best: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful LeadersBook: Conquer Anxiety: How to Overcome Anxiety and Optimize Your PerformanceFacebook Group – Conquer Anxiety Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Inner Sanctum Mysteries, originally broadcast June 20, 1949, Corpse without a Conscience. A man returns from the grave to kill Aunt Edna, who cheated him out of his land. Also part 3 of the 5 part Yours Truly Johnny Dollar story, The Pearling Matter, originally broadcast June 20, 1956. The trap is all baited, and guess who walks in! I'm done fighting with my doctors. A variety of health issues have led me to a decision that I hoped I wouldn't have to make for a couple of more years.Classic Radio Theater will end June 30, 2023.I want to thank everyone who made this show possible over the years. I know it's only about three weeks for stations to make alternate programming arrangements, but it's a choice that I had to make. I'm nearing 70 years of age, and the grind of producing these shows is just too much.It has been my honor and pleasure to serve you these past eight years.#Classic-Radio #Old-Time-Radio #Crime #inner-Sanctum-Mysteries #Bob-Bailey #Yours-Truly-Johnny-Dollar

Mac McNeil is an accomplished leader with a diverse background in military, intelligence, business, and financial management. He joined the army at 17 and quickly rose through the ranks. He's held key Positions at some prestigious financial institutions, including Bank of America and JP Morgan Chase. His transition from the military to the business world was difficult but taught him about the spirit of excellence. Mac's leadership platform, My Great Aunt EDNA stands for Excellence, Doing Things the Right Way, No Shortcuts, & Accountability.Talking Points: {01:38} Mac's journey{05:00} Transitioning out of the military.{08:00} Studying human behavior. {09:30} People who pushed Mac through his journey.{15:10} What led Mac to write My Great Aunt EDNA{21:15} How to hold a leader accountable.{25:30} How to implement EDNA into your team.Mac McNeil Bio:Mac is a highly accomplished leader with a diverse background in military intelligence, business, and financial management. After joining the army at 17, Mac quickly rose through the ranks and became a respected expert in psychological operations and human behavior. He then applied this knowledge to the business world, where he excelled for over two decades. Mac has held key positions at some of the most prestigious financial institutions in the world, including Bank of America and JP Morgan Chase. At Bank of America, he managed 100 financial centers and led a team of 600, earning the #1 rank in the Division (representing 2000 branches) in overall customer service for the Bank of America. At JP Morgan Chase, he became a top 1% performer and helped 10 of his branch managers achieve similar success out of 6000 branches. Currently, Mac serves as the Senior Vice President of Operations for the Community Reinvestment Fund, USA. He holds a master's degree in business administration and Doctorate (ABD) in Management and Organizational Leadership. Mac is a sought-after speaker who has inspired and educated over 200,000 leaders around the world. He was also on the Board of a multi-billion dollar non-profit, Feeding America in California. Mac's ground-breaking book, "My Great Aunt EDNA - The Golden Girl of Leadership", is a widely acclaimed roadmap for leaders to lead with excellence, do things right, take no shortcuts, and become accountable. Resources and Links:Website: https://crfusa.comLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/macmcneilBook: https://www.bookdepository.com/My-Great-Aunt-EDNA/9798218145996Connect with Tom FinnLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therealtomfinn/Instagram: https://instagram.com/therealtomfinnYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@therealtomfinnTiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@therealtomfinnTwitter: https://twitter.com/therealtomfinn/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therealtomfinnPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/therealtomfinn

Summary: All successful leaders have one thing in common: a Great Aunt Edna. Mac McNeil— an author, former Military Intelligence Analyst, and leader in business—appears in this episode to talk about the ‘E.D.N.A.' philosophy and why it is foundational to leadership. Mac was, in fact, inspired by his real Aunt Edna, but the acronym symbolizes a Leadership culture of Excellence, Doing Things the Right Way, No Shortcuts, and Accountability. The purpose of EDNA is to make people think about the culture they are fostering when managing others. As a leader, you may have moments where you are “in the wilderness,” or alone in your pursuit, but these moments can help you solidify your ‘why' and grow stronger. Mac highlights how it looks to have an opportunity mindset—positioning clients for a successful future—and discusses the spirit of excellence that himself and his colleagues uphold. Tune in for more amazing insight from a key thought leader, and use the link below to pre-order Mac's book.  Useful Links: Financial Survival Network My Great Aunt Edna Book

Drew Barrymore has made peace with her mom, Idina Menzel has long forgiven John Travolta for saying her name wrong at the Oscars, and Happy National Fruitcake Day

It's all around us...diet talk. It's nearly possible to escape. It can happen on dates, at dinner parties with friends, at work, or even at family gatherings. While some people may consider it seemingly harmless, diet talk can really affect our mental health and make us question our eating disorder recovery.Aristotle wrote, "It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." Being able to look at and evaluate different values without necessarily adopting them is perhaps the central skill required in changing one's own life in a meaningful way.That is why you need effective strategies to call on when Aunt Edna starts talking about her new weight loss scheme or your fitness fanatic friend shares her new workout routine.What strategy are you most excited about trying. Share in the comments over at recoverywarriors.comSHOW NOTES

As you open that Christmas card from your Aunt Edna with the folded five dollar bill inside, you think to your self, "Why don't the people who make these cards also make movies?" Well, they do. Not only do they make movies, their formula has practically become a genre in itself and has been copied dozens of times over. This week Josh, Jason, and Adam each watched a 'Hallmark' Christmas movie or one of the knock-offs. Listen as they discuss My Southern Family Christmas, Falling for Christmas, and The Noel Diary. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/brickedpit/message

“Starving to Death”, we have all heard that saying. By now, everyone has also seen the fasting trends and heard of all the health benefits. But hang on !!! There is a much deeper original intention to fasting that we want to discover. In this episode, Daniel gets challenged to dig in as Duffy explains the soul purpose. “Starving to Live” sounds a little more exciting now!   We hope it challenges you in a positive way. Caution: you may want to wait till after Thanksgiving to start, or not, and have a reason to avoid the fruit cake Aunt Edna delivered! Support the show

It is officially holiday family gathering season! Join this episode's discussion of boundaries with ALL the family and ALL the events of the season. Angee & Jaime give scenarios and role-play conversations you are welcome to try with your version of crotchety, rude “Aunt Edna.”Angee's Mug: "I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up to No Good"Jaime's Mug: You're My PersonSUBSCRIBE to The Shrink Show Newsletter: http://www.theshrinkshowpodcast.com/Follow us on all the socials: @TheShrinkShowFaceBook, Instagram, YouTube, TwitterA Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a digital media and commercial video production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network and learn more about our other services today on HurrdatMedia.com.

Aunt Edna's dentures, a sexy carrot, and a mermaid mannequin!

A man returns from the grave to kill Aunt Edna, who cheated him out of his land. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/iloveoldtimeradio/message

With Thanksgiving coming up in just a few days, it's time to ask yourself… am I ready? For us IBD gals, it isn't just about the travel or the preparations, or the dread over Aunt Edna's stifling, perfumey hugs. Those are the types of worries most people have, and let's face it, their worries are […]

Edna Lewis might be the most important American chef ever and few people knew her like her niece, Nina Williams-Mbengue. Nina was just 12 years old when she helped her Aunt Edna by typing up the notes for Edna's landmark cookbook, A Taste of Country Cooking. The 1976 book inspired the farm-to-table movement of later years, codified the classics of Southern cuisine, and documented the foodways of Freetown, Virginia, the settlement founded by Edna's grandfather and other individuals who had been freed from chattel slavery. Nina shares what her aunt was really like, her memories of summers spent in Freetown, and what Edna would think of the legacy she left behind. Don't miss this special episode. Thank you to Chronicle Books for supporting our podcast. Chronicle Books is the publisher of Flavors of the Sun: The Sahadi's Guide to Understanding, Buying, and Using Middle Eastern Ingredients by Christine Sahadi Whelan, out Tuesday, Sept. 7th. Be sure to get a copy from your favorite bookstore. Radio Cherry Bombe is recorded at Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center in New York City. Visit https://cherrybombe.com/radio-cherry-bombe later this week for a transcript of this episode. 

Dennis Koulatsos and Nestor go old school wrestling memories with death of Paul Orndorff. @NestorAparicio @DKoulatsosShow

This July, we're packing up the Family Truckster and going on vacation! Summer is a time for family vacations, road trips, and all the chaos that comes with it. All your hosts at PCY (except maybe one part-timer) are huge fans of the original Vacation movie series. So it felt like a great idea to use this opportunity for another very special set of episodes. There are four original Vacation movies, so we're going to go for it, Honey! Up first, 1983's National Lampoon's Vacation. Pete, Giff, and Brad break it down as only they can. Hear why Brad thinks Chevy Chase could have won an Oscar. Keep listening for Giff's college viewing days with the "classics." Stay for Pete's memories of renting movies as a family back in the day. For each of us this is probably one of the most "important" films of our lives. It has meant so much to all of us and we were so excited to kick off this set by breaking it down. From Chicago to St. Louis to Wally World; from Cousin Eddie's farm to Aunt Edna riding on the roof through Phoenix; from camping in Colorado to a glimpse of the Grand Canyon, we got you covered. We're proud of this one. Enjoy!Want to support our show? Check out https://www.buymeacoffee.com/PCYearbook!If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on the iTunes/Apple Podcasts app or wherever you listen, follow us on Twitter and/or Facebook, and most importantly, tell a friend to listen!Interested in starting your own podcast? Click on the link below to get started and earn a $20 Amazon gift card when you sign up with Buzzsprout!https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1576564Support the show

This July, we're packing up the Family Truckster and going on vacation! Summer is a time for family vacations, road trips, and all the chaos that comes with it. All your hosts at PCY (except maybe one part-timer) are huge fans of the original Vacation movie series. So it felt like a great idea to use this opportunity for another very special set of episodes. There are four original Vacation movies, so we're going to go for it, Honey! Up first, 1983's National Lampoon's Vacation. Pete, Giff, and Brad break it down as only they can. Hear why Brad thinks Chevy Chase could have won an Oscar. Keep listening for Giff's college viewing days with the "classics." Stay for Pete's memories of renting movies as a family back in the day. For each of us this is probably one of the most "important" films of our lives. It has meant so much to all of us and we were so excited to kick off this set by breaking it down. From Chicago to St. Louis to Wally World; from Cousin Eddie's farm to Aunt Edna riding on the roof through Phoenix; from camping in Colorado to a glimpse of the Grand Canyon, we got you covered. We're proud of this one. Enjoy!Want to support our show? Check out https://www.buymeacoffee.com/PCYearbook!If you enjoy the show, please rate and review us on the iTunes/Apple Podcasts app or wherever you listen, follow us on Twitter and/or Facebook, and most importantly, tell a friend to listen!Interested in starting your own podcast? Click on the link below to get started and earn a $20 Amazon gift card when you sign up with Buzzsprout!https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1576564Support the show

Paul is back from a podcast break and we're resuming our A Praying Church series with a two-part conversation on "Pray Big".  "The idea of praying big is that there's a tendency in prayer meetings or even in your own prayer life to focus on immediate needs, moving from Aunt Edna's hip to Uncle Ira's arthritis back again to cousin Eddie's whatever! I'm not belittling the importance of those prayers, but to pray only those would be like getting stuck in the weeds." "Sometimes you need to look at the forest instead of one particular tree." "The part of the Lord's prayer that fits this is the opening petition: “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” That prayer is mammoth! That is the Jesus version of ‘go big or go home.'"

My sisters and brothers, Happy 7th week of Easter, and also the Ascension of the Lord. Today our podcast song is ‘Praise Be To You Jesus Christ'. Now the first part of this song was written as part of an Acclamation to be used for Catholic Mass Services, which I have used in many Catholic Churches from the middle of Nebraska to the Southern states throughout my journey. Although when we use this song as an Acclamation, the verses are not sung. However, when we sing it during a meditation, the whole song is sung. In the March of 1983, for meditation at a Catholic Mass Service, I sang this song for my Aunt Edna's Funeral, (my dad's sister), by request of her children. It was our way of celebrating her love and her life! This song is about how through the Cross of our Lord Jesus, we have been redeemed. How through the Blood of our Lord Jesus, we have been cleansed within. Our soul cries out, ‘Praise be to You Jesus Christ'! For within our very being, we have the heart of a bride on the wings of the Spirit of God! We are asking God to make us worthy to receive Him, to keep us wholly onto Him, so that we can be complete in Him. We are aware that we are unable to do anything unless He enables us. For Jesus is the Bread of Life eternal, Jesus heals our every need. Praise be to Jesus Christ forever and always! My friends, such a Mystery we have before our eyes. Jesus is the living bread, our Bread of Life Eternal. If you and I believe that we have been redeemed by the Blood of Jesus, then we must also believe we will be taken up with Him, as a bride on the wings of the Spirit of God, for the Spirit of God is in us. If I believe in the Mystery of my God, I must be ready for Him when He comes for me. If you believe in the Mystery of God, you must be ready for Him when He comes for you. The question is, are we ready? Do we, you and I, belong to Jesus? Well, lets see, are you doing as He wills in your life? Am I doing as He wills in my life? If we believe in Him and follow His ways, His commandments, then yes, we do belong to Jesus. We, you and I, hold A Mystery of our Religion. No, we can not understand this mystery, but all we need is Faith, remember, Faith is believing is what you can not see nor understand!

Ever gotten a gift that you didn't like but you pretended you did anyway? Let's talk about why it's OK to not like things, and how to let others not like things, too. Hopefully, it will encourage you to let go of people-pleasing in favor of being true to yourself. And, to be clear - we can still be kind without superficially “being nice.” So, go ahead and admit you didn't love that sweater from Aunt Edna. It's OK. I promise. On the flip side, are there things you secretly WANT to do that you hold back from for fear of judgment from others? We talk about liberation from that, too.Episode Highlights:02:15    The doll that inspired this episode as my daughter's impression of it went from delighted to worried and then slightly scared04:20    I experienced a proud parenting moment when I realized I hadn't forced my kid to like something that she didn't enjoy04:48    This brought up my own feelings about disappointing others who gave me gifts and my shame for not liking everything that I am given05:47    How is pretending to like things you don't enjoy working out for you? For me, it basically becomes a recipe for misery and dread06:30    In the technological age that we live in it is so easy to distract ourselves with temporary hits of joy by scrolling our phones or binging TV rather than pay attention to anything we don't like that much07:20    Our loved ones definitely notice when we aren't truly engaged with them and their hobbies or favorite shows07:57    Are white lies a significant part of your interactions with others, or are you mostly able to tell them the truth about how you feel?08:52    When you want to get along and be liked by everyone there is a huge instinct to agree and go along with the crowd09:12    What would it look like to feel completely free to disagree with others in your life?10:55    What kind of social pressure is at work in your life that makes you want to present yourself as liking something that deep down, you don't really care for? Can you be brave enough to declare what you truly love, no matter what someone else thinks?12:35    It felt like a death sentence as a teenager to be forced to wear a hat and be seen as ugly, despite the very legitimate need to keep my head warm in subzero weather14:08    Being secure enough to like what you like and dislike what you dislike comes from feeling secure in your ability to choose and feeling like your choices matter14:47    How much can we loosen our grip on activities we do only out of duty so that we make room for our own interests and follow our hearts?15:55    Asking ourself “what do I want to do” can be so scary when we have to come up with the answer all alone – but your answer to that question is priceless18:30    You're the only one living your life, and you owe it to yourself to be honest with yourself about what you love and why you love it, and what you are repelled from and why that is so19:10    What would it be like if you valued your own opinions and feelings as highly as you value what you think other people are thinking and feeling about you? Support the showYour donations mean the world to me and allow me to continue to create content each week. I ❤️you and thank you from the bottom of my heart. leave an awesome review on Apple podcasts to help spread the word subscribe so you don't miss an episode wherever you stream your podcasts Thanks for listening!

(image source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/295337688043705239/) Host Matthew Donald and guest co-host Lawrence Mack discuss Pachyrhinosaurus, a horned dinosaur without a horn that lived up in the cold north. From the Late Cretaceous, this 25-foot ceratopsian had a nose not unlike your Uncle Earl and possibly a feathery coat not unlike your Aunt Edna. Possibly. The feather thing, not the aunt thing. You definitely have an aunt that wears feathery coats.  Want to further support the show? Sign up to our Patreon for exclusive bonus content here. Also, you can purchase Matthew Donald's dinosaur book "Megazoic" on Amazon by clicking here, its sequel "Megazoic: The Primeval Power" by clicking here, its third installment "Megazoic: The Hunted Ones" by clicking here, or its final installment "Megazoic: An Era's End" by clicking here. 

This week's conversation is with Nina Williams-Mbengue, the niece of culinary legend Chef Edna Lewis. We talk about her relationship with her Aunt Edna, the legacy Chef Lewis left behind for us...and how her Aunt would feel about the current social and political climate that is effecting Black women in food spaces. Nina is a Senior Fellow on NCSL's Child Welfare Project providing legislative research and policy analysis on child welfare issues for state legislatures, child welfare professionals, and the media. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/afrosknives/message

Is Leonard an astronomer genius or coffee spilling hack? Will Carrie ever stop relocating in an attempt to escape her inner turmoil? How do you please someone who only wants to talk about comets until he is asked to talk about comets? And does Aunt Edna even have bursitis? So get computering on that telescope and don't call Thor by his first name while we keep a lookout for a 'Harbinger of Death'.

Knowing how to photograph kids helps you capture those family moments, yet still get something better than snapshots with Aunt Edna's knee in the photo. We'll help you get the right results. The trick isn't to pose or take over your family gathering and turn it into a photo session. Instead, we'll teach you how to plan and prepare for events to unfold naturally so you'll be ready to catch whatever happens. The post How to Photograph Kids appeared first on William Beem Photography. Visit the show notes at:  https://williambeem.com/episode237  

This week's conversation is with Nina Williams-Mbengue, the niece of culinary legend Chef Edna Lewis. We talk about her relationship with her Aunt Edna, the legacy Chef Lewis left behind for us...and how her Aunt would feel about the current social and political climate that is effecting Black women in food spaces.

5 Things you CAN joke about Laughter helps us heal and keeps us healthy. And while you CAN'T joke about the virus, you can joke about issues AROUND the virus. Here are 5 things you can joke about.   1.  It's effect on YOU. From gaining weight to drinking wine every night . . . self-deprecating humor rocks!   2.  Policies that we never thought we'd have, like no more touching. What? You mean I don't have to dodge weird Aunt Edna's lip kiss anymore?   3. Relationships . . . how is the quarantine affecting your relationship? Make sure your partner/spouse has a sense of humor!   4.  Definitions.  The "haves" and the "have nots" now refers to people with toilet paper. Have some fun with new definitions.   5.  Weird things you've witnessed.  I saw a street vendor selling face masks . . . my first thought – do they cost more because they are pre-contaminated? (come on . . .how sanitary can they be???)    

Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Kwanzaa! Joyful [fill in the blank]! In all of the holiday hustle and bustle, we're a day late on this show. But! Now you have something to listen to while spending hours in the car on the way home from yer mom's. Aunt Edna with you? Even better. She'll love it. Thanks for listening. You're the best!  xo, G & E

In this episode, I continue the conversation from previous episodes about the language surrounding infertility. Natasha Marchand, co-founder of Bebo Mia, discusses the unique situations of would-be expectant parents facing infertility, and what helpful and non-helpful language looks like.   TRANSCRIPT: Sara Pixton: Welcome to today's episode. Before we jump in, I just want to say if you have listened to the podcast before and you are loving it, please leave a review on your podcast app, so more people can find out about Birth Words and be touched by the things that we're talking about here. And now for today's episode. Natasha has been working with women to support their wellness goals for over a decade. She is a doula trainer, a hypnotherapist, prenatal fitness and yoga instructor, and a fertility specialist. As the co-founder of Bebo Mia and co-owner of Baby and Me Fitness, she loves helping women feel stronger and more confident in their lives, whether that is in their birth business, or as they move fertility all the way to parenting. She is also the proud mother of seven-year-old Sadie, conceived with ART after a four-year struggle, and recently gave birth to her second daughter, Margo. Welcome Natasha, to the Birth Words podcast.   Natasha Marchand: Thank you for having me. I'm really excited to be here.   Sara: I'm so excited to talk with you and for our listeners to gain your perspective. Do you want to give just a quick introduction of yourself and your business and what you're doing here on the podcast?   Natasha: Sure. Well, my name is Natasha, like you said. I struggled myself with infertility for four years before having my first daughter and then six years later, had my second daughter so there's quite a bit of a gap. And so there was many years where I struggled with infertility, but my background is in yoga and hypnotherapy, and obviously I'm a birth doula and of course to a trainer as well. So I use a lot of that to create programming for people who are struggling with infertility, because I felt like it was not only a professional thing for me but also really personal. And Bebo Mia itself as a doula training organization, or a training organization that works with birth workers who want to become doulas, for example, or perhaps work in the world of infertility or fertility as a fertility doula, which is something that's new and happening right now as awareness for infertility moves forward.   Sara: I love that. And one of the reasons I reached out to you specifically is because I saw that fertility doula training program on your website, and that really struck me. Like you said, it's not something that I'm really familiar with. I don't know any fertility doulas personally, but having had a small infertility journey of my own—Wow, I wish I had a doula there to guide me through it! Because It can be so difficult to navigate. So I'm so glad you have that going.   Natasha: Yeah, I didn’t have a fertility doula myself either. But because I was a doula at the time—I was a doula for many years before I had children of my own—so when I learned that this was going to be a struggle for me when I was figuring that out, I just started applying my work as a doula into my own life. And then recognizing that there were so many other people out there who didn't have support, who were doing this on their own or in silence, or in shame even. And so I started that to apply that into group work and into other people until eventually it just became my work as a fertility doula.   Sara: I love it. That's awesome. I am so excited to pick your brain a little bit here today. So I have some questions for you. The first one is: What unique challenges do would-be expectant parents meet when they first come face to face with fertility struggles?   Natasaha: I, you know, I can speak to my own experience and I can also speak to the experience of other people that I've witnessed. But the biggest thing is that realization that, you know, the idea of having children goes from that, like, when will I have children? to IF I'll have children. That's such a shift in everybody's mind frame. You know, you kind of grow up thinking okay, I'll do what everyone tells me I have to do you know, I'll go to college, I'll meet somebody, we’ll have a family, we’ll buy a house… all of those things will happen. And then suddenly, your expectations aren't meeting reality anymore, and that just kind of like flips everything on its side. Especially if you're someone like me who's like, I'm a planner. Like, I was like, yep, I turned 30, I'll have my kids, I’ll do… You know? I had it all planned out. And then suddenly it's like, will I even have kids? And if I don't—Who am I? Yeah, you know?   Sara: Yeah. And this episode I wanted to build on Episode number seven. I talked about my infertility journey and some research that I've come across. That goes a lot along with what you're saying of this idea of a reproductive story, that some people have it more consciously. Some people, it's more subconscious, but it totally disrupts that when you're faced with like, not when but if, and just it's a really challenging journey.   Natasha: Yeah. And it's, it really is what is this thing about me? You know, because like when you talk about language and you talk about infertility, like there's still really is this… It's not even unspoken, it's this value that's placed on women, in particular, to have children. Like that's part of our value. Like who are we, if we can’t have children. And now that that conversation is changing, but there still is these words that are used for people who don't have children, you know, like we hear it all the time. Like you're selfish or you'll change your mind, or you're too self-absorbed, or like all of this language that goes around, you know, choosing to not have children. Yeah.   Sara: Especially difficult when…   Natasha: There’s so much language around that. Yeah, like, Is there something I did wrong? Am I being punished? there's something wrong with me. So like, you can't really, you can't win, right? Because our value is so intertwined as women in particular, to having children. And that’s something we learn so early on, as young girls.   Sara: Yeah, all of this discourse that just surrounds us as we go. And then facing like, Oh, is that… Is that what I want for myself? Is that possible? with the infertility struggle, right? And you said, Am I doing something wrong? And I mentioned to you and now to our listeners that this episode is also building on a previous episode with Margaret Quinlan, who's a professor of Communications, who wrote… You're Doing it Wrong is the name of her book, because that's what people feel a lot from just the common rhetoric around pregnancy and motherhood and fertility. And that's a really, really difficult thing to be told either explicitly or implicitly and a really difficult thing to feel.   Natasha: Yeah, yeah. And I think that there are so many people out there who think that by giving advice, they're trying to help you, or they are helping you, because they do think that there’s something you're doing wrong, you know? Are you putting your legs up on the wall for 30 minutes after you have intercourse? No, Aunt Edna, I'm not. Like what? Like, you know, there's just so much. As soon as you say… as soon as you're brave enough to say that this is something you're struggling with, that's when you get all of this information that is not helping you at all. Really, it is just telling you what you said you're doing it wrong. And… these days. Are you relaxed enough? Are you going on vacation? Are you taking time for yourself? All of that is just blaming.   Sara: And that's so difficult when you said like, it's so vulnerable to open up and say, Hey, this is something that I'm struggling with, and then to be hit with all of that does not honor the vulnerability, right?   Natasha: That's right. And I if, if there was anything I wish I could do to change the language in this space, or to change the culture, in this space is to, to really have people understand how to best support somebody going through infertility. And like to explain that, quite often this unsolicited advice is not really welcome. You know, and even as, as birth professionals like we are, this can be a hard line for us because we want to believe in hope and to give people hope. And we can try it on this fine line where it's like, you know, if you do this, then you'll get pregnant, the same way often birth professionals can make that mistake of saying, if you have a birth plan, and if you give birth with this health care provider, and if you give birth at home or whatever, you know, your plan is, then you'll have the birth that you want. But really, that's, you know, we don't want to give people false hope, with infertility. You can do all of this thing, you can do everything. You can put your legs on the wall, you can go on vacation, you can do IVF. And still at the end of the day, not have a baby. Right? So we have to be really careful and mindful of our language and not offer this hope. Or it's like, oh, well, if you just did this, this would happen. Yeah.   Sara: So what can we do? We're wanting to support people struggling with infertility. We know a lot of the things we shouldn't say. We know why… we've talked about why it matters, the way that we talk. You can add more thoughts about that if you want, but what do we do? What do we say what is helpful?   Natasha: You know, I think being there for somebody and telling somebody that you're there for them is the most important thing we can do. Allowing them to be seen by you and allowing them the space to be vulnerable and, and validating the pain that they're going through is more important than anything else. Because that's what's not happening for them right now is they're saying that they're struggling, they're going through infertility. And what is coming back at them is usually something in between ‘you're doing it wrong’ or ‘it's really not that bad.’ I have a friend who has been struggling for four years or, you know, it's hovering somewhere in between that there. So what we need to do as healthcare practitioners is be okay with sitting in this uncomfortable space. Of this is just—can I swear?—this is just shitty. And that's what it is. And I am here to witness that with you and allow you to say how shitty this is to me.   Sara: And friends and family. Oh, sorry, I jumped in before you were done. And you said, like as professionals, but also like as friends and family, too, we've got a mixed listenership on this podcast. And I think that that applies to both. Would you agree?   Natasha: Absolutely agree. It applies. I agree. Yeah, that's right. There needs to be a shift in the way that we treat people going through infertility, because we don't talk the same way with people who have just been injured. You know? We don't talk to the same way who maybe just had a cancer diagnosis. We… this is a very special way that we talked to people who are going through infertility: we try to minimize it, or we try to be helpful, but we say the wrong things. Or we… there's not a recognition of how hard this really is. You know, just the little things that which I've heard, I'm sure you've heard before is like, once you realize it's going to be a struggle for you to have children, if that's something you truly desire to do, even things like getting a baby shower invitation in the mail is really hard. It can put you on the ground for, you know, days or weeks. And a lot of people don't understand that. They don't understand why you wouldn't show up. There really is not the validation around how painful this really is, how it leads to depression, how the stress rates are high for people who are going through infertility as people who are going through cancer treatments. There's not a recognition around that. It really is like, you know, ‘it will happen when it happens,’ or you know, ‘maybe it's not your time.’ There's such a minimization of the struggle that somebody is going through. Anyway, I get it. You can't really understand it until you've gone through it. But I'd love to see the culture change.   Sara: Yeah, me too. I think those are really powerful thoughts. And I think I'm… Once you have gone through it, too, there's also this temptation to like, use it as your chance to be like, “Oh, I know, it's hard because let me tell you about how hard it was for me,” which is also not a helpful response. Right? And if we're truly validating someone else's grief, we're not in platforming to, like, jump into our own, right?   Natasha: Yes. As professionals, I find that's a hard line to walk regardless of if you're a fertility doula or a birth doula, right, because our own experiences shape what we think is good, you know, what, what we think are good decisions. And, and that's just human nature, but our job is to come at things in an unbiased way. And so when we're working with infertility, you know, as a professional, we're not really able to say, you know, well for me, this works and so it should work for you. It really still…we have to really come back to being like, here's all the information, what decision do you want to make? And also support you through that?   Sara: Yeah, I appreciate that perspective. Another question for you. So how can those dealing with infertility harness the power of our words to help them in their journey?   Natasha: One of the big things that I do in my work as a fertility doula is, is to look at the language we're using with ourselves now, and so for many of us, well for me, when I first began this journey of infertility, it was really like I was really down on myself, I really questioned my lifestyle, I really question things I had done in my past, I had a lot of negative self-talk. And, and I knew better because this is what I do for a living. And so I had to work really hard to fix that. And I'm not trying to say that everything we have to say is positive. And when it comes to fertility, like I said, I don't want to be giving false hope. I don't want to give people you know, thoughts…try to put thoughts in people's heads that are like, ‘I will for sure have a baby’ or, you know, ‘close your eyes and imagine your baby.’ That can be so hard and triggering for somebody who's going through infertility. So let's work on our thought process in not in a way that's like positive or nothing. But in a way that's like, how can we reframe this so it feels healthier in our in our bodies? So we're not hurting ourselves and causing ourselves harm as we go through this. Like we're not making it worse. And so what we do a lot of the times is come up with balanced statements. So statements that feel true, or can stop that negative cycle that causes us like a downward spiral each day, you know, like when you wake up your ‘I'll never have a kid’ and, you know, ‘why? Why would I get up off the floor right now?’ Like all those…that kind of language that spirals and changes your actions throughout the day? Like how can we create a kinder and more gentle thing that you can say in the morning? You know, so, rather than saying, ‘I'll never have children,’ we don't go right to positive and say, ‘I will have children’ and wake up and expect that that's going to be the outcome. But how can we say, ‘you know what, today is the day that I'm going to practice my breathing techniques,’ or work a little bit more on myself, or you know, spend the day, you know, whatever it is. I really do sit down and spend a lot of time with my clients to figure out what wording would work best for them to be gentler to themselves, so the day doesn't feel as hard. Yeah, you know, what, what can you be doing each and every day to make this journey better? And how can we implant that language into our subconscious rather than what was fed to us?   Sara: I love all of your thoughts about that. And because I feel similarly with just my goal with this podcast and the other work that I do with Birth Words, the goal is not to be like, only positive talk, because sometimes there's some really negative stuff that already exists that you have to work through. But I like how you said, Let's reframe this, so it feels healthy in your body. And I think that reframing is critical.   Natasha: Yeah. And it's really like when I sit with my clients, and I do this work, there are questions that I asked, you know, if your negative self-thought is ‘I'll never have children, I'll never have children.’ You say that over and over again in your head. Okay, so, just what about that statement is true? You know, have you been told that you'll never have children? Are all paths towards having children closed to you? What are you willing to do to have children? You know, like really start dissecting where that negative thought comes from. Who told you that if you never have children, you're not a good woman, you know, or good person? You know, where are these thoughts coming from so that we can look at it and be like, Oh, that statement’s not really true. What is true is that I'm, I'm trying this avenue right now, and I'm giving it my best shot. And if this doesn't work, I'm willing to try another avenue. That sounds better, right?   Sara: And you sound so much more like an agent, making choices, being thoughtful about, ‘these are my options and this is the path that I can pursue,’ instead of being like this passive recipient of your fate, right?   Natasha: That's right. That's right. And putting some control into that because there is obviously the sense of a loss of control. Right? When you have when you have a plan and that plan is not happening for you.   Sara: K, I love, I so appreciate our conversation. I'm going to wrap it up with two quick questions here. The first one is, if you had to describe in one word, your feelings or beliefs about the fertility journey, what one word would you choose?   Natasha: The fertility journey or mine?   Sara: However you want to interpret it, and if you need to throw out a few we can, we can work with that.   Natasha: I wouldn't label it as… you know, it did change. But the beginning when I was just hearing about this and learning what a struggle it was going to be for me, I would have called it suffering.   Sara: Okay. And I love the thoughts that you've shared to help, again reframe that, to make it feel less like suffering, but also the earlier thoughts you shared about having other people recognize, this feels like intense suffering. I think that's, that's really fitting.   Natasha: Yeah. And it really was, I was gonna say it really was the, the getting out of that thought process and say, What can I do with this information now that I have it? How can I pull parts of my life to make a change to make this better? I feel very fortunate that I was already kind of in this birth world when I encountered this, because I was able to pull things together and create out of it, which really lifted me out of that suffering place. But not only that, it led me to find other people who were going through it. So I could say I'm suffering and they could say back to me, I'm suffering too. And that's still so much. Just being able to create that in my world was so important.   Sara: Thank you for sharing your story and your wisdom. How can we connect with you? Follow you personally or Bebo Mia, or whatever you want to throw out there.   Natasha: Sure, you can visit us at bebomia.com. We also have a blog post on this that comes with like a really large ebook just on how we can best support our clients who are going through infertility or who are now pregnant after infertility. So you can go to bebomia.com/birthwords. And that will be up for anybody who ever wants to see it. And if anybody ever wanted to join any of our programs, we have a BIRTHWORDS code for 15% off anything you'd ever want to join us with and become part of our community.   Sara: Love it. Thank you so much for your generosity and go head over to their website. Check it out. They have so many resources for birth professionals and really are doing something dynamic and new with the way that they're approaching all of it, so go check it out. It's worth it.   Natasha: Thank you so much. Thank you for allowing me to be on the podcast.   Sara: It was so great to have you. Thanks so much, Natasha.   Natasha: Thank you.   Outro: Did words play an important role in your birth experience? If you're interested in sharing your story on the podcast, go to www.birthwords.com. If you're liking what you hear on the podcast, please leave a review on your podcast app. For more resources about harnessing the power of words to benefit the birth experience, visit birthwords.com   Transcribed by https://otter.ai

In this Throwback edition of The Backwash, we get the scoop on who Chainsaw's "Floyd The Barber" puppet really is and who in Chainsaw's life Aunt Edna was inspired by! We even dip back into the past to hear some of our favorite Aunt Edna moments!

Hey Gang! We continue our Favorite Summer Movies with Episode #298, National Lampoon’s Vacation starring Chevy Chase. In this episode, we are gearing up for a trip to Maryland and are a little rowdy! We discuss how Chevy was a sex symbol in his day and reveal his real name; our love for Harold Ramis (who directed the film); how everyone has an Aunt Edna; how we are now the Randy Quaid Podcast (not really!) and much more. Enjoy!   Please Forgive This is a Film Podcast. About Films. 

Is the holiday season a time of joy, or do you wish it could just all be over already? You don't have to suffer through the holidays! 1. Set boundaries. You don't have to have Aunt Edna stay with you for two weeks over the holidays if she upsets you and/or your family. She can stay in a with other family, a hotel, or her own home. 2. Eat what makes you feel good. No, ice cream for breakfast, lunch, and dinner isn't the best choice unless you've just gotten your tonsils out, but start enjoying your food. 3. Bring foods you can eat to events. Sure, gluten-free, dairy-free cookies taste different, but at least you'll have something on the buffet line. 4. Sit down with the people you love and discuss holiday expectations. This includes your kids. A ten minute conversation now can save hours of frustration on the big day. 5. Change things up! Just because your family has done something for 50 years doesn't mean you have to do it if you are uncomfortable. 6. Create family traditions. #5 doesn't mean you need to ditch everything you've ever done before. Keep the traditions that give you joy. Tweak traditions you kind of like to make them your own. 7. Do as much, OR AS LITTLE, as you like. 8. Take time for yourself. Don't have any extra time? Make some. You're a grown up, and you really can take time for you when you need it.  Create a new Holiday for yourself! Here's how we're doing that with Festivus: Only inviting our kids, keeping it small No cooking, we're ordering Chinese take-out We're creating family picture books that include a note from each person to have when we're apart We made t-shirts to commemorate the date We've talked to everyone to make see which parts of holidays they like so we're all comfortable, happy, and full of joy Are you creating joy this holiday season? Share how at hardymom.com/contact Thank you for joining me today!  Want more? Go to HardyMom.com and you'll find ways to live well, grow, and enjoy your life again -with any health challenges. I'd love to hear what you think about this episode! Send me a message at HardyMom.com/contact Have a blessed week, Jen  

Becca and Lydia discuss all things Merry and Bright on this Christmas episode, including Christmas Eve worship ideas, children's sermons and how to get rid of Aunt Edna's ugly Christmas Banner that has adorned the church walls since 1962. 

At look at the impact of the Fires in California and how that disaster applies to what we are discussing here.Never has the point been brought home so clearly than looking at the fact the over 250 thousand people had to be evacuated. A special Thank You to the first responders and work crews working around the clock at great risk to themselves.Ill swing back and report on a few products and ideas, and then I'll don my chefs hat to test out some dehydrated food. And if there is enough interest we can give away Aunt Edna's Stroganoff recipe.For comments or questions, please write to podcast@wits-and.com and Ill try to get back by the next episode. On that topic, we will be off for the Thanksgiving Holiday and see you again on December 2.

Have you ever been photographing a wedding, when in walks Uncle Bob with a massive camera rig, and sets up right at the end of the aisle? Guest photographers can be a serious problem for professional photographers. Recently, Sophia had this exact experience at an unplugged wedding ceremony. She had to diplomatically convince the man to put his gear away. Thankfully, the bride had been very clear prior to the wedding that no guests were allowed to be taking photos, so Sophia felt 100% confident relaying this message. But when she told the guest that the bride would be mad if he was taking photos he said, "She won't be mad at me. I've done this before." Though it took some creative fenagling, some stubbornness, and some reiteration, the man did ultimately spend the ceremony in his seat. Here's our best advice for dealing with characters like this: Have a conversation with your clients. While you might have a clause in your contract stating that there will be no other cameras present at every wedding you photograph, it is best practice to discuss this policy with your clients, because they might have different expectations. Know whether they want their family and friends to take photos, whether they want their family and friends to stay seated, or whether they want absolutely no electronics in the hands of their guests. Make a point to introduce yourself to other photographers and amateur photographers. Often couples will warn photographers of family members and friends who work in the field or who are die-hard hobbiests, because they tend to bring their cameras everywhere. With a clear understanding of your clients' camera policy, shake hands with each of these people. Often with a simple friendly discussions they'll say something like, "I don't want to be in your way. Just let me know if I'm blocking you," or will completely stay out of your path. Offer to hire amateur photographers for the day. If your clients say that there will be another photographer present who will be taking photos because "they're just starting out and want to get some porftolio shots and experience," offer to hire them for the day! Reach out to these guests prior to the ceremony, invite them to meet with you before-hand, and come up with a plan for how you can work together. This will give them real experience, you might pick up a future employee, and you'll have more photos to add to the clients' album. Stay positive, be courteous, and smile. Or as Petro says, don't be a rockstar. Throwing a fit and storming out of the wedding because Aunt Edna stood in front of you for the kiss will only give you a reputation of being a diva, and that will not bode well for future business. Catch the podcast in video form! Subscribe to our YouTube channel here. Share your thoughts in our Facebook community Double Exposure Show Group. Use code DELAUNCH to receive a free tshirt of your choosing with the purchase of a bag at our new shop F8 STYLE! If you're looking for a new CRM for your new or growing creative business, we have a special treat for you! Get an extra 30 days with your free trial when you sign up with Táve! That's a total of 60 days free! Click this link to sign up with our favourite CRM for creatives. Thanks to Benjamin Edward for our artwork and Bensound for our theme music.

Cook Aaron Harvie has released a book called A House Husband's Guide - Our Meal, Their Meal. It's full of recipes that can be altered to cater to both the adults and the children in the house. One classic dish is titled Aunt Edna's Cowboy Stew - with the secret ingredient of Vegemite!

1. Bag Lady (I Wonder) - Ebn-Ozn 2. Electric Barbarella (Tee's Club Mix) - Duran Duran 3. Sub-culture (Razormaid! Mix) - New Order 4. (Set Me Free) Remotivate Me (Release Mix) - Depeche Mode 5. Music That You Can Dance To (Razormaid! Mix) - Sparks 6. Love Glove (Full Version) - Visage 7. Clear Trails - Shriekback 8. European Son (12" Version) - Japan 9. Let's Go To Bed (Extended Version) - The Cure 10. When Smokey Sings (Detroit Mix) - ABC 11. No Stars (Unreleased Original Remix) - Figures On A Beach 12. Blue Savannah (Razormaid! Mix) - Erasure 13. Disenchanted (12" Version) - Communards 14. No Gift Refused (Extended Version) - Until December 15. Love Will Tear Us Apart - Simple Minds Notes and other random things: 50 episodes! Kind of a nice accomplishment, if I may say so. Not sure why 50 is any more important than, say, 47 or 5 or 19. I certainly don't want to be numerically discriminatory or anything like that, but maybe if those other numbers were divisible by something other than themselves and 1 they might get more publicity. So, I'll celebrate reaching the 50-episode milestone because not only is 50 equal to half a hundred, but it is divisible by lots of other cool numbers. On to the bands ... The first band I'd like to mention here is the first band in this podcast: Ebn-Ozn. Many of you are probably aware of the excellent "AEIOU Sometimes Y", which also appeared on CRC #28, but most of you may not be aware of their tune "Bag Lady", which was a Top 40 Club hit and minor radio hit. Both songs appeared on the group's only full-length album called "Feeling Cavalier", which is notable for being the first album to be recorded entirely on a Fairlight CMI sampling keyboard. That makes Ebn-Ozn one of the true pioneers of the sampling culture which was just starting to take hold in the early 80s. If you haven't seen the video to "Bag Lady", it featured one Imogene Coca, better known as Aunt Edna in National Lampoon's Vacation movie. Go take a look. I'll wait ... Okay, we're back live.

OMG, the holidays are right around the corner! Time to head home and visit the family full of your own Cousin Eddie’s and Aunt Edna’s. We’ve got some holiday season travel hacks to help you get there without breaking the bank. It’s that joyous time of the year to do the annual mad dash to […] Read more...

"Inner Sanctum Mysteries"--originally broadcast June 20, 1949, 68 years ago. Episode titled "Corpse Without a Conscience." A man returns from the grave to kill Aunt Edna, who cheated him out of his land.

We have an epidemic on our hands. It's a disease that has been in our society for a long time. It seems impossible to get rid of and looks like it might be here to stay. I'm talking about SWEARING or CURSING. Today's topic for Episode 103 is “How to Handle Your Kid Cursing – Your Guide To Minimizing Swearing“ Was it always this bad? Did our parents talk like this? Where did we (and our kids) learn to talk like this? 1) From Us – The way we talk. How many of us have had a word come out of our mouth only to realize the child heard it. Even worse, the child reacting to it. Whether you have said something while you are angry, got hurt, or just to describe something, you realize you made a mistake and can't take it back. 2) Family Members – While you may have a clean mouth, your wife or another family member may talk like a drunken sailor. “At holiday time, you put a few drinks in Aunt Edna and she is bound to start throwing F bombs. 3) Friends – Whether out in the street or at the playground at school, kids are certainly going to hear (and say) words that they wouldn't dare repeat at home. 4) Media – TV, movies, and especially the internet all have a huge assortment of colorful language. It's hard to police everything. As soon as kids are able to talk, they are able to learn new and exciting words. How do we make sure they learn the right words rather than the wrong ones. Some might argue that the soap or hotsauce in the mouth are good methods. I don't agree with those. The key is catching it early. Here are …

We have an epidemic on our hands. It's a disease that has been in our society for a long time. It seems impossible to get rid of and looks like it might be here to stay. I'm talking about SWEARING or CURSING. Today's topic for Episode 103 is “How to Handle Your Kid Cursing – Your Guide To Minimizing Swearing“ Was it always this bad? Did our parents talk like this? Where did we (and our kids) learn to talk like this? 1) From Us – The way we talk. How many of us have had a word come out of our mouth only to realize the child heard it. Even worse, the child reacting to it. Whether you have said something while you are angry, got hurt, or just to describe something, you realize you made a mistake and can't take it back. 2) Family Members – While you may have a clean mouth, your wife or another family member may talk like a drunken sailor. “At holiday time, you put a few drinks in Aunt Edna and she is bound to start throwing F bombs. 3) Friends – Whether out in the street or at the playground at school, kids are certainly going to hear (and say) words that they wouldn't dare repeat at home. 4) Media – TV, movies, and especially the internet all have a huge assortment of colorful language. It's hard to police everything. As soon as kids are able to talk, they are able to learn new and exciting words. How do we make sure they learn the right words rather than the wrong ones. Some might argue that the soap or hotsauce in the mouth are good methods. I don't agree with those. The key is catching it early. Here are …

Kailin Scott is an expert at escape rooms. She works in escape rooms, she creates escape rooms, she an artist and uses her artistic ability to create escape room images and puzzles. She has always been a huge fan of video games, and she came across a series called Zero Escape. It's an Escape Room Series featuring lots of puzzles. She really loved it and she wondered if this happened only in video games or if it was something that could be found in real life. Her boyfriend, who is from China, told her that in Asia, Escape Rooms are popular. Most Influential Person My boyfriend. He introduced me to Escape Rooms. Transcript Q: So Kailin, if there's someone listening today who is a little bit lost or unsure what we're talking about when we say Escape Rooms, can you fill us in and explain it a bit more? A: Escape Rooms are puzzle rooms where you are locked in and given an objective. There are two types: one where the objective is purely to escape and the other type where the objectives can be almost anything from finding someone's medicine to solving a zombie apocalypse to even trying to fight a fire. Q: I imagine Escape Rooms are a mindful experience because once you're in there you really have to think about nothing else except getting out or solving the puzzle. Is this true? A. When you get in there you can only focus on the puzzles because you're in there with a time limit, so much so that you don't even know what time it is. You have to get an announcement at five minutes [before the end], or sometimes at about thirty minutes [before the end]. You are usually in there with a team of two to six people. It's a lot of teamwork, so it's thinking together. Q: Are you usually in there with random people you've never met or do you usually go there with friends? A: It can work in a lot of different ways. There are facebook groups where you can meet random people to meet up with and do random escapes. A lot of the time you do plan this with your friends. Sometimes there are escape rooms that will set you up with random strangers to do the room. Q: Does this mean that you could escape the room and nobody else will? A: It depends on the room escape really. Some of them do set you up in teams where you do battle against each other to see who gets out first. Other ones expect you to work completely as a team to all be able to escape. Q: Do you have to be really good at solving puzzles to get out of the room? A: Not necessarily. As long as you can wrap your mind around the logic of puzzles or at least be able to bounce ideas off other people, you should be able to think your way through it. Q: What are some of the most creative types of puzzles you've seen in Escape Rooms? A: One of my favorite puzzles so far has been a puzzle that was completely in braille. Usually, if they're going to make you learn another language, they will leave some sort of hint around. In this case, it was a complete wall of encyclopedias. You had to look at this and see that it was braille and one you had this figured out you can go through all of the books to try and figure out what was going on and then actually use the braille to solve the puzzle and open the lock. Q: I understand there are Escape Rooms that just suddenly appear for a few weeks or months. Tell us about those? A: Those are Pop-Up Rooms. They'll appear every once in a while, and they're usually situated around a certain theme. The video game called Zero Escape does have a Pop-Up one that's currently going around in the U.S. It should be coming to Canada at some point. There are other ones such as Dracula's Library, Casa Loma (Toronto Ontario Canada), and other ones that do pop up but then have made permanent homes in big cities such as Toronto. Q: Can you explain what you actually do in your role in creating Escape Rooms? A: In that role, I'm an artist. I'm brought in to help make the puzzles come to life. Someone writes down the puzzles on paper; they explain the puzzles to me and then I try to make that puzzle happen. Whether it's creating a drawing, building a chest that has a mechanical rig or even just going out and picking up locks. It's taking that idea from paper and making it a reality. Q: When people come to participate in an Escape Room, is there a way that you can help get them relaxed and get them into the mood of what they're going to be doing in the event that they might never have done this before? A: Beforehand, someone's going to explain all the locks you may come across in the room because not everyone's seen a directional lock or a keypad and they may not know what it is. There's usually a story to go on behind the room: something that sets you in the mood of the room. Whether you're about to solve the Curse of the Mummies Tomb or just at your crazy old Aunt Edna's place try to find her medicine, there's always a story behind the room. Other things they'll tell you are don't overthink it because if you overthink it you're probably not going to have a good time. Thinking too hard just leads to no escape. Q: Here at ConBravo Kaitlen, you were doing a presentation yesterday about Escape Rooms and you told us a story that explained why age is no limit. You told us about some women who came to the Escape Room that you work at. Can you tell us that story now? A: Definitely. We had a group called Sunday Funday and I swear they looked like the Golden Girls. Possibly even older than the Golden Girls. They came in, they've never done an Escape Room before, but they're locals and were just so excited to do this. They went in; they had a wonderful time. They actually made it really far. The logic and the thought processes they had when they did this was absolutely amazing to watch. I got to game master for them and they had a wonderful time. They didn't really escape, but they left feeling a lot smarter than when they went in. Q: Have you had people come who didn't escape and they wanted to come back repeatedly until they figured it out? A: This happens quite often. A lot of escape rooms will have a second timer discount because you've already gone and completed maybe 25% of the room and you want to complete the rest of it. This discount will often take up to 50% off your visit to go and do this escape room again and just keep doing it and doing it until you get it. Q: I expect people do this to celebrate events or parties. Would you explain some of the events people use as a reason to come to Escape Rooms? A: Personally, I regularly attend Escape Rooms for my birthday, my boyfriend's birthday, my friends birthdays. We have a lot of people who come with their soccer teams to celebrate victories. Even here at ConBravo, the staff went and did the Escape Room in town just to celebrate the fact that the Con has kicked off. Q: Can it help bond people who come to the rooms, because you are really working as a team? A: Very much so. We had a mother who booked her daughter and her boyfriend who she was fighting with at the time, to go into the room together. She said, you're probably going to see some yelling, but by the end of it the relationship was actually really strong. They came out very happy and worked through their differences because they had to work together. Q: Can you tell us about some humorous escape rooms or some escape rooms with humor in them? A: One of my favorite ones that I've run into is a scale. A lot of people are scared to step on scales so people will just avoid the scale but you actually have to step on the scale and it's going to read the wrong weight every time. It's going to read the same way for everybody who steps on it. The people who come in there have very different reactions to it. There are people who will say, this scale is very complimentary and there are other people who will say, the scale says, I'm fat. A lot of people just tend to avoid the scales altogether. It's kind of hilarious to watch. Honestly, if you're in an Escape Room, the point is to check everything. Q: I know you probably have to be discreet about some of the tricks that are in Escape Rooms, but can you tell us some of the trickiest types things that people will encounter in an escape room? A: Maps are your worst enemy. A lot of Escape Rooms will use old maps and you're going to have to calculate coordinates. If you're really good at map reading, that's awesome. My friends and I are not so we tend to run into problems with those. Sometimes rooms will get you to do algorithms for math, but those rooms tend to leave you some note paper so you can write down your ideas as you go and don't have to do it in your head. Q: What sorts of puzzles would work really well for an artistic person? A: Being able to have a spatial sense of where you're going and what you've seen; a memory of what you've seen on the walls or even just picking out the finer details. If you have an eye for these fine details, you can find things that other people who are more literal-minded have missed. Q: Being artistic, what are some of the most fun, artistic things you've created for escape rooms? A: My claim to fame is Aunt Edna's Condo in Hamilton Ontario Canada at The Crux. In that room there are about twenty paintings hidden somewhere in the room in various places. I created every single one of those over the course of three days with nothing but markers. Q: Do you sometimes get your friends involved in creating some of these puzzles? A: At this point it's always been my co-workers. I was hired on by a team. My friends do get to come in and test the rooms sometimes. Q: Sometimes do people set up something like this in their own home for a personal party? A: Yes. They are working on building kits for people to do this kind of thing at home and even in classrooms, so people will take it to schools as well. It's called Escape Room In A Box. There's a KickStarter going right now. It is everything you need to have a mini Escape Room in your house. Q: Can you think of any other really funny people who came in to solve these puzzles? A: We had a group come in from Texas and they called themselves the Texas Rearrangers. They were visiting family in Hamilton. They consisted of a 14-year-old girl, her 9-year-old brother, the mother, the father and the aunt. They went into the room and the girl decided to be a complete drama queen, star-fishing herself on the floor, screaming, "We're never getting out of here." The brother grabbed one of the props in the room and decided to dance to build moral support. So obviously watching them on the camera was pretty amusing. Q: Have you had people come into the room who have been too serious and not been able to relax with it? A: Definitely. Not everybody feels comfortable coming into the room. You'll get a lot of questions beforehand. Some people will go in there so serious and so focused on trying to solve this that they kind of put themselves in a corner. You need to be able to think, observe what's around you. You can't just hyper-focus on one thing. You need your mind to be open and you need to be aware. You need to rely on your teammates. You're not a one-man army in this situation. Q: Is there any negativity around Escape Rooms that you've heard? A: There have been a couple of people that gave bad reviews to Escape Rooms. We've had people come in that just don't enjoy themselves. They find the puzzles too hard, or they're too frustrated because they didn't beat it. People tend to get upset when they lose so you do have some sore losers who say they're never coming back and never doing anything like it again. It's kind of sad because you would like to see people try it again, maybe trying other Escape Rooms, because every one is a bit different.

On episode eight of Beyond Knowledge, Marika’s Aunt Edna stops by with some Halloween tips; Marika and Chelsea share some interesting voicemails from a disgruntled listener; and uncover the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle Download This Episode

Let's return to the fun and frolics of podcasts past by revisiting seven of the best commercials from THE RICH AND THE FILTHY! From episode 22: A sentient scarecrow learns what "scary" truly means when he encounters our intrepid spokesman wielding his trusty Ghost Spoon! From episode 23: Two unwholesome brats and their unappealing mother learn about the wonders of new Ghost Spoon! From episode 24: A magical sprite with a less than magical name conjures up an attractive set of new Shelfy brand shelves! From episode 25: Fantasy Horse meets Tina, his weirdest fan yet! From episode 26: The cancer-throated Aunt Edna delivers a testimonial for new Ghost Spoon! From episode 27: Our intrepid announcer has an important message about Ghost Spoon and its many knock-offs! From episode 28: Fantasy Horse has a special message for little girls and boys and their gender-role-lovin' parents!

Hey, Clark....we don't want to impose...but with your own money, I want you to buy yourself something from us that's really nice! That's right, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation is up this Festivus episode 3 for Ben and Bret. It's a Festivus Miracle!

Put up those brushes and paint grab those dice, it's time for another episode of GAME JUGGLERS, Join the crew of Matt, Ray, and Kevin this week as they talk about Gripping Beast's game Saga, a historical table top wargame. Aunt Edna stops in for some questions from the listeners and a bottle of Jack Daniels. Kevin telling us all about a new boardgame called The Bloody Inn.  If you have any questions for us or Aunt Edna please post them on facebook on the Game Jugglers page, @gamejugglers on twitter, and email gamejugglers@gmail.com.

Join us this episode of Game Jugglers for a journey through space and beyond.  We talk about what we have been playing and then get a visit from dear Aunt Edna to answer some listener questions and update us about her Stormsurge. After we get rid of Edna we get into the meat and potatoes of Star Wars X-Wing (yum potatoes). Kevin then leads us through the boardgame corner and talks about plaid hat games' Dead Of Winter! Then, sadly, we say our goodbye. Game on Jugglers!   Game Jugglers is the game play branch of Models Workshop. All types of boardgames and tabletop wargaming will be represented so make sure to subscribe. 

The Dukes are back in the studio with a breakdown of how emergency management can help you survive some of the most stressful times of your life. Whether it's planning your wedding, moving, having kids, traveling abroad, looking for a job or, you know, dying, Mitch & Andrew have got your back with real, concrete strategies to assist. We also take a look at the skills we've learned at other jobs and how those help us as emergency managers. Jump aboard for DJ Drabek, dear Aunt Edna and the wonders of alcoholic root beer. 

‘Tis the season for another episode of The MovieFilm Podcast.  This week, Sean and Brian are driving the sleigh for the first time without Zaki (check that... brand new daddy, Zaki) and invite you all  to cozy 'round the fireplace for talks of TV, trailers, ant men, and of course...Christmas Movies.  We are the marshmallow in your hot chocolate and the new pair of slippers from yer' Aunt Edna.  So whether you're wrapping presents, trimming the tree, or trekking cross country this holiday season, switch us on.  Yule be glad you did!

Join us for a conversation with author Maureen McGill. Maureen along with Co-Author Nola Davis (she may pop in) have written an amazing book Live From The Other Side.   Live From The Other Side is a collection of real life stories, and then moves into discussions of ways to connect with the other side. These include stories about moving towards resolution after death, experiences during death watches, visits from deceased family members, visits from people who have become messengers for others. The content demystifies death, after-life experiences and takes the reader into the stream of everyday life. Angel books and ghost stories have intrigued readers for years.  Live From The Other Side is more than stories of visits from Aunt Edna or Uncle Roy. It contains real experiences of people who have validated the universal connection with their deceased loved ones. The stories are real, carefully selected from among the many stories related to us. Live From The Other Side combines the areas of spirituality, hospice, bereavement, personal growth and metaphysics. TO ORDER : To order your copy directly contact www.OzarkMt.com  or call 1 479 738 2348 or order at www.amazon.com ( ISBN: 9781886940711) For more information on Maureen McGill and Nola Davis AND Live From The Other Side please visit: www.livefromtheotherside.com

今年も最後のエピソードは「新年」についての会話をお届けいたします。新年の過ごし方は日本とアメリカで大きく異なっているようです。アメリカではどのような過ごし方をするのでしょうか。 会話に登場する男女は、仕事の付き合いで新年のカウントダウンパーティに参加しています。それぞれの新年の誓い（New Year's resolutions）は、どのようなものでしょうか。 せわしない年末かと思いますが、ぜひ一息ついて本ポッドキャストをお楽しみください。 写真：Wikipedia（除夜の鐘）より Download MP3 （18:08　10.4MB　初級～中級）** Script *** (Slow speed) 02:55-05:15 (Natural speed) 14:55-17:00 New Year's W: It’s almost midnight! So, do you know what your New Year’s resolution is going to be this year? M: To stop saying “you go girl!” to myself. W: But you’re a guy! M: It’s a bad habit, alright! Last year my New Year’s resolution was to try to be less sexist, so you should be supporting me. W: My resolution is to stop coming to these awful work-related New Year’s parties and actually get a social life! Last year I spent New Year’s with my cats in my apartment though, so I guess this is an improvement. M: Well, thanks for honoring us with your presence this year – I’m sure your cats are very lonely right now! What was your resolution last year, by the way? Clearly you made a step in the right direction? W: To quit referring to my cats by their names in front of strangers. M: Yeah, I can see how that might get confusing. W: One guy called me crazy after he figured out that the Zoey I was talking about for thirty minutes wasn’t actually a person. But here I go again… enough about my cats! What do you usually do on New Year’s if you don’t have to come into work? M: Well, every year I normally just go bowling with my relatives, and eat pizza while watching the count-down on TV. Actually, not having to hear another story from my Aunt Edna about her kidney problems is a blessing in disguise! Plus, we’re getting paid to be here, you know. W: Yeah, it could be worse, I suppose. Speaking of the count-down, hey look! The ball’s about to drop! M: Alright! Here, take your champagne! Everyone: “5-4-3-2-1, Happy New Year!” --- (Guy suddenly kisses girl.) W: (Angry/surprised): Whoa, what was that for?! Did you just kiss me?! M (Catching his breath from the excitement): Sorry, sorry, I was just in the moment. And look! It’s what everyone’s doing on TV! W: Those are couple’s, Dave! And you’re, like, 10 years older than me! Thanks a lot for ruining my New Year’s – I’m going home to my cats! (Written by Nathan Olson)

今年も最後のエピソードは「新年」についての会話をお届けいたします。新年の過ごし方は日本とアメリカで大きく異なっているようです。アメリカではどのような過ごし方をするのでしょうか。 会話に登場する男女は、仕事の付き合いで新年のカウントダウンパーティに参加しています。それぞれの新年の誓い（New Year's resolutions）は、どのようなものでしょうか。 せわしない年末かと思いますが、ぜひ一息ついて本ポッドキャストをお楽しみください。 写真：Wikipedia（除夜の鐘）より Download MP3 （18:08　10.4MB　初級～中級）** Script *** (Slow speed) 02:55-05:15 (Natural speed) 14:55-17:00 New Year's W: It’s almost midnight! So, do you know what your New Year’s resolution is going to be this year? M: To stop saying “you go girl!” to myself. W: But you’re a guy! M: It’s a bad habit, alright! Last year my New Year’s resolution was to try to be less sexist, so you should be supporting me. W: My resolution is to stop coming to these awful work-related New Year’s parties and actually get a social life! Last year I spent New Year’s with my cats in my apartment though, so I guess this is an improvement. M: Well, thanks for honoring us with your presence this year – I’m sure your cats are very lonely right now! What was your resolution last year, by the way? Clearly you made a step in the right direction? W: To quit referring to my cats by their names in front of strangers. M: Yeah, I can see how that might get confusing. W: One guy called me crazy after he figured out that the Zoey I was talking about for thirty minutes wasn’t actually a person. But here I go again… enough about my cats! What do you usually do on New Year’s if you don’t have to come into work? M: Well, every year I normally just go bowling with my relatives, and eat pizza while watching the count-down on TV. Actually, not having to hear another story from my Aunt Edna about her kidney problems is a blessing in disguise! Plus, we’re getting paid to be here, you know. W: Yeah, it could be worse, I suppose. Speaking of the count-down, hey look! The ball’s about to drop! M: Alright! Here, take your champagne! Everyone: “5-4-3-2-1, Happy New Year!” --- (Guy suddenly kisses girl.) W: (Angry/surprised): Whoa, what was that for?! Did you just kiss me?! M (Catching his breath from the excitement): Sorry, sorry, I was just in the moment. And look! It’s what everyone’s doing on TV! W: Those are couple’s, Dave! And you’re, like, 10 years older than me! Thanks a lot for ruining my New Year’s – I’m going home to my cats! (Written by Nathan Olson)

Gina and Randy exchange gifts as John, Jeff and Aunt Edna sing Christmas Carols! Plus a 4th grade Christmas recital!

Have you ever had a friend who complained about everything? The quality of the air, the little things that people do, and even the smell of watermelon? I've often noticed people in the community complaining about everything and anything, in fact, complaining seems to be a major topic for most peoples discussion doesn't it? So here comes the question-why? Why do we spend so much of the time that we have with one another complaining, when we could be using it to lift one another up? Scripture tells us in Philippians 2:14 to do everything without complaining. And what should we say that the word everything means? Yep everything means everything. You see God wants us to focus on the goodness that He has bestowed on us, the blessings that God has given to us. God wants us to live this life with a thankful heart. But if we keep complaining about every little thing that comes our way, then we had better get used to the misery of life. We shouldn't expect the Lord to give anything to us if we remain in a constant stink about everything. I encourage you to focus on the good things in life. Even though Aunt Edna may always talk with her mouth full, be thankful your family has food to eat. Every time you have to sit in traffic, be thankful you have a car to sit in traffic with. You see, learn to look at the brighter, better, and good side of life. You'll be a happier person because of it, and God will continue to pour out his blessings to you if you would just learn to stop complaining. And even though you may always go around saying "I hate that, I hate that" the truth is God is in heaven looking at your attitude saying the very same thing. Follow me on Twitter and Facebook by visiting www.joeprainito.com Here you will also find more Devotional Podcasts, or you may find it easier to subscribe via iTunes by searching Joe Prainito Audio Devotional. You may purchase my book "Living and Dying Without Regret" in both paperback and eBook at the bookstore at www.joeprainito.com

My uncle Bert Tighe in 1963 began a new water works supply business, Ti-SALES, in Sudbury, Massachusetts.  He and Aunt Edna this morning talked about the single quality which seems to have led to that company's current success: the refusal to quit.  We also heard from Peter, my cousin who worked for the family company for 18 years, and Kevin, who is now president.  I remember when Uncle Bert's office was in the basement of their house, and we kids had to be quiet around the stairway, because he was working hard down there to get his new venture going.  Now the company employs 29 people and has annual sales of more than $20 million.  It's a great story of the value of persistence and the wisdom of figuring out new ways to do things when the old ways won't work.Music for this episode is "Until Dusk" from "When You're There" by Frank  LoCrasto, courtesy of the Independent Online Distribution Alliance (IODA) Promonet.