Podcasts about Beckley

Alan provides a new Thursday Thought episode. In today's Thursday Thought, Alan shares a simple, but profound epigram: Don't Worry, Be Happy. Alan describes that our thoughts precede our emotions; and we can choose our thoughts - so we can choose our emotions. You can choose to worry or to be happy. Don't worry, be happy. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, so you won't miss a single episode. Website: www.alanbeckley.com

Alan provides a new Thursday Thought episode. In today's Thursday Thought, Alan describes 2 big challenges for inventors: feeling stuck; and feeling off track. Alan shares his upcoming webinar to help inventors: How to Get Unstuck and On Track in 2026.  Registration is now open for this free webinar. Get on track in 2026. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, so you won't miss a single episode. Website: www.alanbeckley.com

Episode 303 is the sixteenth episode of our mini-series on the Tippit murder.  David Belin, the celebrated Warren Commission attorney called  it the "Rosetta Stone" of the JFK assassination. It may very well be just that...but for other reasons! In  this sixteenth  episode, we tell the story of the Dallas police squad car appearing in front of Oswald's rooming house right at about 1:00PM as he was changing and about to exit. The car approached slowly, honked twice and then proceeded slowly away. This was clearly observed by housekeeper Earlene Roberts.  From her window, she clearly saw a cruiser with two uniformed police officers contained in it. And she clearly identified it as car 207 in three separate documents including two FBI interviews in the first week after the assassination with  the first occurring on November 23rd and the second occurring on November 29th. Her December 5th affidavit reaffirmed the car number again.  She and the owner of the rooming house were subsequently harassed by both the police and others and ultimately by the time of her testimony at the Warren Commission, she became unsure of the car's number.  Another classic example of such an important piece of evidence ignored and obfuscated by the authorities during the course of the investigation.  Yes…there is a grave possibility that the true "Rosetta Stone" of November 22nd, 1963, might just lie in the quiet Dallas suburb of Oak Cliff, waiting for us to finally put the pieces together. This is a wander I've created especially for you…and of all the wanders you have taken with me, this may be the most thrilling of all! And don't worry, as the fall winds turn cooler, we will all be vacationing once again, in Mexico…I think  you know what I mean by that. But our new wander takes precedent.  As we wind down the Tippit series, I hope that you will enjoy these last few episodes of what is one of the most riveting aspects of the JFK assassination story. 

Alan provides a new Thursday Thought episode. In today's Thursday Thought, Alan shares why you must "sharpen the axe" - to hone your marketing skills.  You must spend time doing "messy research" - solidifying your marketing message - before you contact your first company for licensing.  Listen to learn how to do this.  Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, so you won't miss a single episode. Website: www.alanbeckley.com

Healing Through Laughter: Dave Ebert on Comedy, Faith, and Overcoming Trauma In this episode, Diana rebroadcasts the interview of the late Dave Ebert, who passed away unexpectedly July 2, 2024. He discusses his journey from struggling with depression and contemplating suicide to becoming a renowned improv coach, pastor, and comedian. Dave, who founded Gifts for Glory Ministries, shares his early love for entertaining, the personal struggles he faced, and how faith and comedy became his tools for healing and helping others. He also explores his work with the Salt and Light Coalition, helping survivors of sex trafficking through improv, which aids in their communication skills and self-esteem. The episode delves into the importance of connection, trust, and the transformative power of laughter in overcoming trauma and finding hope. We hope you enjoy hearing Dave's legacy and timeless advice.  You will hear the second interview of Dave and his wife's missionary work next episode. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:47 Meet Your Host, Diana 01:34 Introducing Dave Ebert 02:51 Dave's Childhood and Early Love for Comedy 03:45 Struggles with Family and Faith 07:30 Turning Point: Finding Faith and Purpose 10:57 Battling Depression and Suicidal Thoughts 21:04 The Power of Presence and Support 24:25 A New Beginning in Chicago 26:32 Starting a Faith-Based Improv Team 27:32 Creating Clean Comedy for All Ages 29:10 Using Comedy as a Ministry Tool 31:50 Connecting with Salt and Light Coalition 33:12 Teaching Improv to Trafficking Survivors 36:20 Stories of Transformation Through Improv 44:18 Current Projects and Online Improv Shows 47:16 Offering Support and Contact Information 50:47 Final Thoughts and Podcast Information   Website: https://dswministries.org Subscribe to the podcast: https://dswministries.org/subscribe-to-podcast/ Social media links: Join our Private Wounds of the Faithful FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1603903730020136 Twitter: https://twitter.com/DswMinistries YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxgIpWVQCmjqog0PMK4khDw/playlists Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dswministries/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DSW-Ministries-230135337033879 Keep in touch with me! Email subscribe to get my handpicked list of the best resources for abuse survivors! https://thoughtful-composer-4268.ck.page #abuse #trauma Affiliate links: Our Sponsor: 753 Academy: https://www.753academy.com/ Can't travel to The Holy Land right now? The next best thing is Walking The Bible Lands! Get a free video sample of the Bible lands here! https://www.walkingthebiblelands.com/a/18410/hN8u6LQP An easy way to help my ministry: https://dswministries.org/product/buy-me-a-cup-of-tea/ A donation link: https://dswministries.org/donate/   Dave Ebert  [00:00:00] Special thanks to 7 5 3 Academy for sponsoring this episode. No matter where you are in your fitness and health journey, they've got you covered. They specialize in helping you exceed your health and fitness goals, whether that is losing body fat, gaining muscle, or nutritional coaching to match your fitness levels. They do it all with a written guarantee for results so you don't waste time and money on a program that doesn't exceed your goals. There are martial arts programs. Specialize in anti-bullying programs for kids to combat proven Filipino martial arts. They take a holistic, fun, and innovative approach that simply works. Sign up for your free class now. It's 7 5 3 academy.com. Find the link in the show notes. Welcome to the Wounds of the Faithful Podcast, brought to you by DSW Ministries. Your host is singer songwriter, speaker and domestic violence advocate, [00:01:00] Diana . She is passionate about helping survivors in the church heal from domestic violence and abuse and trauma. This podcast is not a substitute for professional counseling or qualified medical help. Now here is Diana. Hello everyone. Thanks for joining us today. You know, I've been telling you there are many paths and tools for healing and comedy is one of them. I think you'll enjoy our podcast today, friends. Our guest, Dave Ebert is the founder of Gifts for Glory Ministries. Dave is an improv coach, speaker, pastor, actor, and improv performer with his wife Bobby, residing in Chicago, Illinois. Gifts for Glory is ready to provide high quality, clean family friendly entertainment and professional [00:02:00] improv coaching to survivors of sex trafficking. Hey, welcome to the show Dave. Hey, thanks so much for having me. I'm, uh, really looking forward to having our conversation. Your bio is so impressive. I had trouble. Uh, shortening it for the intro. I'm sorry, I, I try to provide enough information, but, uh, I, I could have probably shortened it, but maybe it's because I'm a pastor. I just like to embellish and go on for a long, long period of time. So we're gonna fill in the blanks here and throughout our time together, and I can't wait to hear some good jokes. We will. We'll see what comes up. I'm an improviser, so nothing's ever planned. So if there's a moment of funny, yeah, I just give God the credit and if there's not, it's just, I don't know. We'll see. So tell us about your childhood. Were you always funny or into comedy? I really [00:03:00] was, uh, one of the earliest pictures of me other than, you know, baby pictures, uh, was a old Polaroid of, uh, me flexing, like I was in a bodybuilding contest because we we're at the city pool. There was an actual, like a swimsuit or bodybuilding competition going on on the other side. And my parents and their friends were just there at the pool and I was like, no, they're not gonna get the attention. I'm gonna get the attention. So there's this picture of me flexing my little chubby 2-year-old arms and it was like, I, I love to entertain and I love the attention and trying to, uh, get people an opportunity to laugh. So yeah, pretty much my entire life, um. Uh, I, I just liked it. I enjoyed, and I lived off of people's laughter. Now, did you experience any trauma in your life? There were, um, there wasn't any like one singular event, like a, a massive. You know, tragedy. But my dad was in Vietnam. He was in the [00:04:00] Vietnam War, and he got in contact with that chemical agent Orange that, uh, I've heard about. And, uh, that just ravaged his body. You know, when he hit 30, he was, you know, a healthy, strong 30-year-old guy working in the trades, and he was disabled by the time he was. 37, 38, um, from heart attacks, from just loss of, uh, dexterity in his hands and uh, and losing his ability to even walk. And it was all, uh, just complications and, and complications from the agent Orange. And so we were living in Chicago at that. You know, when I was first born and then when he'd had his third heart attack, we had to move out of the city and get away from the fast pace of Chicago and went down to Virginia where it's a lot slower lifestyle, a little bit easier for him to handle that kind of stress. But over the next 20 or so years as his health failed, there were a lot of conflicts in the home [00:05:00] between he and mom, between he and myself, and, um, so it was. It wasn't a tragic event, it was just this long period of watching my dad lose his ability to do the things that men do, like work with their hands, play with their son, hang out with their son, things like that. And, uh, you're not able to handle that because we really didn't have a strong faith. Base. So there was nothing kind of anchoring us in that storm. Mm-hmm. And so it was over, you know, two decades that, you know, there's just a lot of little traumas. Little fights, uh, big fights and, and things like that. We said we were Christian and we went to church. Um. Uh, fairly regularly, uh, mostly for holidays and potlucks. Uh, but um, we, uh, we said we were Christian, but it kind of [00:06:00] only existed from 11 to 12 on, on Sundays. Uh, we lived decently. We weren't out killing people. We weren't doing drugs and like that, but, um, but we weren't really like practicing. We didn't say, you know, grace at meals. We didn't pray together. We, I don't think I ever saw an either of my parents actually open a Bible. So we were kind of Christians in name only. Um, we had the, the membership card went to the meetings, but we didn't actually do a lot of practicing outside of church. So kinda like Chris and dumb. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Kind of, kind of creases with a little bit more regular attendance because the church I grew up in, uh, or at least as a kid, they had a lot of potlucks. It, it was almost like the one way to guarantee people would come. It was like, yeah, we're gonna have a potluck to celebrate this this weekend. And I love the potlucks because there's always at least five to sometimes six, uh, different varieties of mac and cheese, and that's my favorite. Favorite. Yes. [00:07:00] Yes. Mac and cheese. Yes. Mashed potatoes. Mm-hmm. Mashed potatoes, uh, all sorts of desserts. And, uh, for your, your listeners, they won't know this, but if they see, you know, my headshot or whatnot, I, I'm not a small individual and I will put the blame firmly on that church. Where all the potlucks, oh, they fed me, but not spiritually. Oh. That's funny. So when did you meet the Lord for real? Well, my story's kind of unique or maybe it's not. Um, but for me it depends on what your personal theology is to interpret it. I. Going into my sixth grade year, uh, that, that summer before my sixth grade year, I went to a summer camp and I, uh, went, you know, we had devotions each night at a campfire. And I remember on Thursday night, the day before, the night before we're leaving. [00:08:00] Something at the devotion spoke to me and I said, on my way by myself, said That little sinners prayer of Jesus coming to my heart. I want to make you Lord. Um, and you know, I remember the prayer, I remember walking up that gravel driveway up towards the cabin. And, but like I said, it kind of hinted at there wasn't a lot of discipleship for young believers at my church. So. It was like, oh, I accepted Christ. What does that mean? What do I do with it? And so from that year. For many years after, I never really got truly discipled to understand what it meant to be a Christ follower. And through my depression and the, you know, just some of the choices I made, I kind of walked away from that. So if you believe that you can walk away from salvation, then you could say that I walked away from it. Uh, some believe once saved, always saved. So you can either choose that summer or you can look to, uh, January, 2013 when. Uh, [00:09:00] still wrestling, depression, still looking for purpose in life. I was walking to work, uh, on a Saturday morning and. There were these two kids from a local Bible college out there looking for people to witness to, uh, they had the, uh, tract, which, uh, for anybody that doesn't know tract is a small graphic novel that, uh, kind of tells the gospel story. And, um, so they were out there and there's really no reason for them to be there 'cause it wasn't a very populated area. Um, so there really wouldn't be a lot of people out there on a Saturday morning. So it was obviously a divine appointment. They gave me the track and they offered to pray for me, but I didn't, you know, I kind of blew them off. Said, yeah, I'm a Christian, I'm saved. Yeah, I'm good, but I gotta get to work. But because they were there, they passed out the track and because of a lot of stuff that was leading up to that moment, it was like, okay, God, I'm ready to submit. I'm, I'm ready. So that night I, uh, opened up my, uh, Rick Warren, purpose Driven Life. I started reading [00:10:00] my, uh, dollar General, uh, king James version Bible got all the way through Deuteronomy before. I was like, I need something simpler. Uh, yeah. But, uh, yeah. Um, those two kids, I don't know if I'll ever see them again, at least not in this life, but they were kind of the straw that broke the camel's back to where I made the decision because I was still wrestling with depression and I was literally at this place where I was on top of, I, I described it as I was on a peak of a mountaintop where. I was still considering, you know, taking my life so I could either go left and just take my life and, and end it once and for all, or I could go right and give my life and fully submit to God. And that was kind of the moment that kind of clenched it for me to take that step towards God and really for the first time, pursue a relationship with him. So that was in, uh, January of, uh, 2013. So let's unpack the. Part where you talked about you wanted to end [00:11:00] your life. What happened there? It was a, a culmination of a lot of things. I, I had a lot of dreams and ideals of what life should look like, and this started in, uh, junior high and high school. Um, and then, uh, you know, combine that with, uh, this struggle with my relationship with my dad. Um, you know, not ever quite being good enough because he always had, sometimes these. Surreal expectations and, and when I didn't meet them, I felt like a failure and, you know, just all these different things. Um, it just added up to one night. I remember, um, I was pursuing this, this young lady to date her in high school and you know, for the first time I was like, this might be the one that I actually get her to date me. And then, um. Afternoon, after I talked to her in the morning, I saw her walking, holding hands with somebody else, and that was. [00:12:00] Kind of the straw that broke the camel's back the other way, uh, to where I entered into that depression. And, uh, it just kept getting deeper. The more my dad and I fought, the more my mom and dad fought. You know, it just got deeper and through, um, my junior year, senior year high school, all through college, after college for many years, uh, through my first marriage, you know, just. That voice was always in the back of my head, you're not worthy. Um, no one's gonna truly love you. Um, might as well end the pain now. And so I just, I really wrestled with the idea of suicide. There were times that I was ready to do it, but I cursed myself for being too weak or too afraid to commit. But looking back, it was that, as the Bible calls it, the still small voice. That was, you know, just kind of coaxing me to don't give in just yet. Don't give in just yet. So looking back, obviously God was [00:13:00] there with me the entire time. It's just I didn't realize who that voice was or why I was not able to fully take that next step. It was because God was there trying to yank and pull me back from the edge. Wow. I'm sure a lot of our listeners can relate to, um, the things that you're saying right now about wanting to end it all. Now, did you cover up your depression, your feelings? Did anybody else know about that? I covered it. Um, as I mentioned, I love to entertain people, make people laugh. So it started off very, when I was very young. It was just this pure thing of enjoying the laughter and enjoying giving that gift to people. But when I entered the Depression, it became a defense mechanism where I would keep people from seeing what I was feeling and also try to prevent them from feeling the darkness I felt. If I could do that, if I could make somebody laugh, if I could [00:14:00] entertain somebody, if I could make somebody feel better, then I was able to justify living for the next week or the next day or what have you. And so comedy or making people laugh was where I found my worth and my value. And if I went too far and I offended somebody, if I hurt somebody's feelings, uh, or if I said something that just kind of embarrassed me. It went into the spiral where it was like, see, even the one thing you count on for value you fail at. And so it would spiral me and it was like, man, I just, I need to drive my truck off this cliff, or I need to, um, do this or that other thing to myself just, and I always wanted to leave it as an ac, you know, make it look like it was an accident. Um, whenever I really contemplated, uh, suicide because I didn't want the embarrassment. I didn't want people to judge me and say things about me, and I also didn't want the judgment to follow my [00:15:00] parents or anybody else because I didn't want them to be punished for what I was going through. So I always tried to make it or plan out to look like an accident. Um, one night I in particular, I remember driving home late at night through the mountain roads. It was maybe three or four in the morning, and I just was at this breaking point and I prayed. I said, God, if you don't want me to do this, gimme a sign. Do something. And if you think about Pure Flix movies or a Hallmark movie, you know, you think in that moment, all of a sudden the sky opens and the lights shines, and the angels come down. And, but in that moment, it felt like it got darker. It almost, it felt like, like God actually got quieter. Than, than I felt he had been. And so I got mad and I got angry at God. And I, I think I probably said a few curse words at him and, and said, you know, whatever. And I got mad and I drove [00:16:00] home. But here's the, the thing about it, I drove home. I didn't drive to the left off that cliff and. I, I say that that was a moment where God knew what I needed. It's not conventional, it's not what you would expect, but it's what I needed. 'cause he knew I'd go mad or I would get mad, and he knew that he would have to take some barbs from me in that anger. But it was God laying himself down for me in that moment so that I would go home instead of, you know, take my life. And that's just another thing that I look back on and say, wow, God was there this whole time. Wow. I've never contemplated suicide myself. I've had some really dark times with my, abuse history. Mm-hmm. Now I've had depression before. Mm-hmm. But it wasn't so much that I needed to take medication. Um, it was just this cloud of darkness and like [00:17:00] sitting in a pit. Yeah. That you can't get out of and it's no amount of positive thinking is going to do it. Right. It just took a long time to crawl out of that. These brilliant people, you know, we're talking about comedy and the most brilliant comedian was Robin Williams. Sure. And he was so funny. And, yeah. When he took his own life after battling depression, um, I really mourned his death. 'cause Yeah. Yeah. It, and that's one of the things where it shows that fame, fortune, having everything at, at your fingertips, it's not a substitute for. Anything because you look at Rob Williams, you think about even, you know, they don't classify necessarily as a suicide. You look, but you look at somebody like Chris Farley, uh, John Belushi, um, the lifestyle that those two guys [00:18:00] chose and the way that they treated their bodies was kind of a long term suicide because they did not take care of their bodies. And I'm not talking about being heavy. I'm talking about the drugs, the drinking, the things like the partying. For hours upon hours on end, it was they were trying to fill something in their soul that they couldn't fill. Um, so for, and I don't say these things as judgment. Mm-hmm. I say these things as warnings. Um, heads up. If you see somebody that is trying to fill their life with partying, find the time when they're sober and talk to them. See if there's something going on. Uh, and like you look at somebody like Robin Williams. It's a very hard thing to know how to handle that because you don't know what his family life was like. Did he have somebody in his, in his corner that knew what he is wrestling with and they were just happened to be gone in an, in the instant that he was the weakest? Um, [00:19:00] for me, I think one of the, the biggest things is if you see somebody or know somebody that could potentially be similar to where Robin Williams was at. Pray and ask for God to show you how to reach them, um, and be willing to pursue it. Um, it's, no, no two depressions are the same because no two people are the same. There's no blanket there, a, b, c methodology that's going to, like, if I do these three or four things, I'm gonna pull my friend out of what they're at. Because there's different triggers, there's different experiences, there's different chemical imbalances in the mind. So don't ever feel like a failure if you try to help somebody and you can't see results. Because some people, it takes time, some people it takes the miracle of God flipping a switch and healing whatever chemical imbalance is in the mind. Um, so my advice is always just keep [00:20:00] pursuing, um, because. Eventually there's gonna be a breakthrough it because somebody that's in that mode is going to see that they're not gonna give up and that's going to fly directly in the face of so many of the inner voices or, or the self-talk of, I'm not worth it, nobody's gonna really care. Or I, I'm a burden. But when you're continually pursuing, you are speaking against all that and you're giving evidence against that case. And we all know, especially, uh, as Christians, that those voices are of the enemy. So they're all mm-hmm. Of the king of lies. Yes. And when you can step in and bring the truth and bring the light, the enemy has no footing left. So that's always my advice, is just to keep pursuing him. It's worth it. It's worth being able to pursue somebody and give them [00:21:00] a chance to hope and a chance to fight against the lies of the enemy. Um, I never know what to say to somebody that's struggling with depression. I'm always afraid that I'm gonna say the wrong thing. Right. Um, so those, those suggestions are really, valuable because. I don't wanna push them too far, but I want them to know that I care. So, yeah. And, and here's the thing, and this is something that I, whenever I talk to people, I, I try to take this burden off your shoulders. It's not your job to save them. It's not your job to rescue them. It's your job to be there and let God do the saving. It is not, it's not your job. So whatever words you say, whatever things you say, it's not gonna matter because it's not gonna be really remembered. The mistakes or, or the, the bad choice words or whatever you say that doesn't [00:22:00] work, quote unquote work, it's not gonna matter. What's gonna matter is that person that you're pursuing, that you're fighting for is gonna remember that you were there. They're gonna remember your presence, not so much your words. Now, there'll be some times where God will give you wisdom and they'll remember those words of wisdom, but for the most part, part, they're gonna remember that you were there. Just like when you go to a funeral and you talk to the people that are grieving, uh, whether it's the widow or the widower, or maybe it's, uh, the child that lost their parent, whatever the case may be. They don't remember the words that you said as you go in the line. They remember your face, they remember the, the calming touch on the shoulder, on the hands. They remember that you were there and it was, it is very much the same for somebody that's in the dark pit of, of depression. If you're there constantly showing them love, willing to let them have [00:23:00] what I call verbal diarrhea and just get whatever they're wrestling without. They're gonna remember that you were there and they're gonna remember that, and it's going be that evidence to say, Satan, shut up. Amen. You're not telling the truth. This person is here. They see me as valuable enough to fight through this. So you're lies of I'm not worthy. Nobody loves me, nobody will miss me. Those are lies straight from the pit of hell, and that's where you belong. That's right. Wow. No, that's, that's really helpful comparing it to, um, a funeral. 'cause, uh, I just lost my brother December 5th and, yeah, and some people, they don't know the right things to say and, but you're right. I remember that. They cared about me. But yes. The fact that they took time to say, I'm praying for you, or let us know if there's anything we can do to help you meant a lot. So I appreciate that [00:24:00] advice for sure. Let's switch over something a little funnier. Sure. Okay. Than a funeral. Um, so speaking of Robin Williams, he was a guest on. Whose line is it anyway, and it was my favorite episode ever. And you started a Christian version of that show. Tell me more about that. Absolutely. So when I, uh, rededicated my life to the Lord in January of 2013, I knew that performing and being on stage was my calling. God was going to. Keep me in front of people, keep me entertaining people, but he's changing and he changed the reason why, instead of trying to hide how I felt and hide myself, I was now gonna use comedy as a way to reveal who he is. And I had no real opportunities, uh, in Beckley, West Virginia. Nothing against West Virginia. Uh, [00:25:00] I have a lot of friends back there. I had a lot of great experiences, but it wasn't where God wanted me. And so I was like, so God, where do I go? Do I go to Roanoke, Virginia, which is about three hours west in, uh, west in, in west in Virginia. Excuse me. And, uh, that's where my mom lived. Do I just move in with her and start over? And it was kind of like. You could, but that's not really where you belong. So I kept, like reading Rick Warren's book, I kept reading the Bible and finally in a, in a conversation, my sister, who doesn't really have a relationship with the Lord, but he used her. She said, well, if you want to, you can move up here to Chicago in, in, uh, start over here. And I said, are you sure? 'cause she was going to college at the time and I would be moving in on staying on her couch in her studio apartment. And I was like, are you sure? She's like, yeah, if, if you need. A new, you know, new start. And so six weeks later I left, uh, [00:26:00] West Virginia, everything I could pack in my truck I brought up. And I started completely over in, um, in March of 2013. And it was shortly thereafter, I started pursuing acting opportunities and opportunities to be in front of people. A couple of mo short films I got into, I realized after accepting the part, I shouldn't have done this role. Uh, this will be something that if I ever become famous, will be one of those things that they play to, to tease you when you get like a lifetime achievement award. Oh, yeah. Um, and then through Craigslist I connected with a, a, a guy, um, named Ryan McChesney. And he and I, uh, discussed, you know, doing, uh, movies together or something like that, uh, faith-based, and we said, well, we both like improv. He had gone through the second 30. Second City, Chicago Conservatory. I had, um, done a few classes at Second City, but uh, most of my acting and performing training [00:27:00] came from eight years of, uh, pro wrestling in, uh, West Virginia and Virginia. Um, so we thought, well, what if we started a faith-based improv team? There's nothing like that in Chicago. And we thought that there was almost nothing like that in the rest of the world. So, uh, we decided to start trying to cast and we, uh, brought two more people on. And my church at that time was, uh, very, uh, gracious in allow, allowing us free reign to use a building for rehearsals or anything else we wanted to do. And so we just started, uh. Creating an improv team and for anybody that's not really familiar with improv, uh, uh, Diana, as you mentioned, uh, whose line is it anyway, is kind of the same kind of improv that we do where it's, uh, game base where they'll give us a game with a scenario and certain rules within that game to follow, and the rest we make up. We make up the characters. The dialogue is completely made up. And the idea is not to try to be funny, but just to [00:28:00] try to respond in the moment because that's where the funny's gonna come from, is that just that creative mind that we have. It's going to find things that are funny in our natural reactions. And so what we do is we just create scenarios. It's basically like. A more organized way to play, pretend. Uh, we create characters, voices, points of view. And so we, and we don't do it based on the Bible because we don't want to ever. Get careless and misrepresent the Bible or say something. Oh, okay. That's fair. Uh, we don't wanna ever come across as a Christian improv team that is, uh, disrespecting the Bible. So we just do clean comedy that's accessible for all ages, whether you're five or 105. Um, we want you to be able to come and enjoy and laugh. And, um, we kind of filter it through [00:29:00] Philippians four, eight, whatever's pure and lovely and praiseworthy. If it kind of fits along that, then, uh, then we're good. Um, and we just, um. We go out and use it as a ministry tool. Uh, either we open for a speaker and use laughter as a way to tear down some walls and, and make people comfortable enough that they can hear it. Mm-hmm. Or we just do pure comedy with the love and the joy of Christ and allow our presence and the fact that Christ is coming in with us to somehow reach them on a spiritual level to where they'll either ask us, why are you guys clean? Why don't you curse? Or Why don't you do innuendo or blue? Right. Or they track us down on social media and they're like, oh, they're Christian, and they're funny and they're creative. Maybe God is more than I thought he was. I'm not naturally funny. Um, my husband is, and that's the, the thing [00:30:00] is. You don't have to be funny to be good at improv, you just have to be willing to listen and respond naturally. 'cause most of what's funny in our improv at least, is that people recognize either weird quirks, uh, about themselves or about people that they know or they recognize weird characters that they're like, that's Samantha from work. Oh my gosh. Um, and, and it's that recognition of, of the human experience because. We are so much alike. There we're, we are all more alike than we are different. Mm-hmm. And when we share those experiences, we realize that we're not alone. That we're not this weird thing in the middle of the world that has no connection. When we get a room with people laughing together, even if none of them know each other. They connect, uh, on this really interesting level. When they laugh together, they don't feel alone in that room. And that's why comedy is so important and effective in [00:31:00] speaking and in ministry. If you can get, get them to laugh, there's a wall that comes down to where now they're able to receive, uh, some information or receive the word or receive the message. And, uh, you know, that's what we love to do is to either. Set the ground for, uh, the speaker to bring the word, or to just simply be a light in that room to where there's a question, why, why are they different? And, um, that's what we do now. Uh, we've been, uh, this team has been running since, uh, July of 2013. Um, we've had a lot of changes, a lot of turnover, but the, the mission has always been the same is to just use comedy to bring people closer to God. So you can, definitely use comedy to heal people in their pain. And you got connected with, salt and Light Coalition. So tell us more about that. Sure. Uh, Salton Lake Coalition [00:32:00] is an organization that works with, uh, women who have survived sex trafficking. Um, many of the women that they serve, uh, were sold into trafficking by their parents at a young age. So many of them either have a very short, if. Or maybe a non-existent childhood to, uh, draw from. So they're very stunted in ma many areas as far as emotions, uh, uh, especially the ability now to trust people. And so, and most of them obviously have been hurt. Used and abused by men. Mm-hmm. So the fact that me as a guy was asked to come in and serve the weight of that is not lost on me. But I also see absolutely see benefit because here is a man in a healthy relationship with his wife, who is in a healthy relationship with the Lord, who can come in and bring that. As a model for these women to show that it is possible that [00:33:00] not every single man is a creep that's going to hurt you. Right? So, and I, I value that ability to, and that opportunity to bring that example, uh, to them. And I teach improv as a way to improve their communication because, uh, many of them, like I said, had, are stunted either, um. Educationally, either they were, they had to drop outta school because they were doing what their handlers or pimp or whatever you wanna call 'em, were making them do. And so I go and help them improve communication. Uh. Find and develop their self-esteem. Because when you're learning improv and you're creating stuff together, you're starting to realize, wait, I have a voice. I have something to say, and the things that I say can be valuable, and that only helps to improve the self-esteem. So they start realizing that all the stuff that I've been through in the past is my past and all the work that I'm doing [00:34:00] now to get back on my feet and rebuild my life. I'm worth it because I have something to say. I have something to contribute. So we do that through improv and, and at the end of the day, they get an hour where they can laugh like kids either for the first time or laugh like kids again because. And, and it, I don't say these things to brag on me. Mm-hmm. God put me in this position. There was, there's been several times where the women have, or a couple of the women have come in and you could see that they are literally carrying their world on their back. The burdens are there, the brow was furrowed. The, you could see in their eyes that they're waiting for somebody to say that one word so that they can explode on them. Mm-hmm. And part of what they have to do is they have to participate even if they're not feeling it. So they, they still get in the circle, they still participate in the games, and you can see literally. The, [00:35:00] that facade, crack and fall, you literally see them crack up and within five minutes of participating, the burden is gone. The, the fierceness in their eyes, the the anger or the frustration, or the hurt. It fades away. And they get to forget that and realize that there's hope, that there's something bigger than what they're wrestling with in that moment. And that has been such a huge blessing for me to be a part of that for the last couple of years. And, um, and like I said, it's, it's such a blessing to, to be a man in that position, to kind of be an ambassador, literally an ambassador for Christ, to show that it's okay to. To trust again. And I, and I love doing that. That is incredible. You know, I've had some training in sex trafficking, with Mending the Soul We have a program called Princess Lost. [00:36:00] Princess Found. Oh, okay. And I didn't know anything about sex trafficking before that, or at least I thought I did know. Mm-hmm. I, I thought of what the rest of the world thinks about, you know, prostitutes or sex workers, but it really, that training had opened my eyes. Do you have a story of one of those tough nuts that crack open with your comedy improv class? Yeah. Um. Specific, I can't mention names, obviously. No. Yeah. But, uh, the one lady I think of in particular, she's a single mom. She was, uh, sold by her mom into trafficking, for sex because her mom needed a. She needed a, a fix. And so she gets involved and then she gets traded, bought, and sold. Um, and the thing wa the thing that a lot of people don't realize is [00:37:00] people who are in that life, who are stuck, who are, who are trapped, they're not always stuck in some shady building off in the corner of, of the city, right? They're, they're still out walking around, they're going to the store, but. They're in such a way that they don't think they can escape and they don't know who they can trust. Mm-hmm. They don't know if the person that they're gonna talk to to say, Hey, I need help, is connected to this person that they're, that they're, uh, enslaved by. So they feel like they can't trust anybody. Even though that they're out walking around, they're, they're stuck. And they're also, many times they're forced to take drugs. Yes. So people will dismiss them when they see 'em. Like, oh, she's just a junkie. There are a lot of junkies, but there's also a lot of women and, and some men that are on drugs, either because they're trying to cope with what they're being forced to do, or it's part of what they're required to do in [00:38:00] order to survive. Um, and, and the, the, the pimps know that when they're on drugs and they're high people will dismiss them and won't really give them two looks. So all that to say is this, this young lady, she's, I think she's in her mid twenties now. Mm-hmm. Uh, single mom struggling to get her kids back because in, in the eyes of the court system, she's just a junkie. She, it, it doesn't matter why she was on drugs, it doesn't matter what caused her to be arrested for these different things. All that matters to them is that she, you know, you were high, you were on drugs, you have this in your system, you're not fit to be a mom. So she's trying to rebuild her life, trying to get her kids back and one day, I don't know, I don't know the details 'cause I don't really talk to get to know them much, just because they're trying. You don't wanna protect them. 'cause the fewer people that know the stories, know where they are, where they're [00:39:00] from, the better for them so that they can avoid getting. Found by the people that are looking for them. Mm-hmm. Because when a woman, escapes sex trafficking, that's property in the minds of the people that quote unquote own them. Yes. And they don't like to lose property because they're losing profit. So. You know, I know very little about them. I know their, I know their first name. I know a little bit about their story. Some of their stories come out as, you know, part of the improv, but she's trying to get her life back together. She comes in and she's the one that I always envision when I talk about the cracking up. She came in and I swear, I I, there was a moment where I was worried, it was like, is she gonna fly off on me if I say the wrong thing? 'cause she just looked angry at the world. Mm-hmm. And, uh, fortunately, and obviously they're not gonna leave me in the room alone, so there's a couple of the Salton light [00:40:00] volunteers there just to supervise and to coach and say, Hey, you need to go ahead and get in a circle and, and participate. You know, this is part of the program. And so. She came in, arms are crossed and she's just looking down at the ground. And so I just changed my plan and I opened up with, uh, a warmup that I knew everyone enjoyed. Um, and it's a silly game. It's called Bippity bippity bop. And, and so this game, uh, somebody's in the middle of the circle, they go around the circle and it's, it's a quick response game. I'll look at you and, and if I say Bippity bty bop, you just have to say the word bop before I get to bop. And then there's other layers to that game. So I start the game and say, all right, so we're gonna warm up with bip bippity bop. So I go around the circle and there are a couple times where like, as I'm going around the circle, I look at her like, I'm gonna give her the, you know, [00:41:00] the, the, uh, interaction. But then I go past and then I come back, and then I get her the first time it's like pip bop. She, you know, obviously wasn't ready 'cause she's not. Fully into it. So she goes, all right, un crosses her arms, walks in the circle, starts doing it, and as soon as she starts participating you, that's when it starts cracking up. And she starts laughing and, and having fun. And she became, she was two people. The first five minutes, she was one person. And then once she started to laugh, she was a completely different person. And it's like. God, this is why, this is why I'm here. And again, it's not, Hey, Dave Ebert's wonderful. You know, toot the horns. It's like, God put me in this position to use my testimony, my story to, and my experiences to try to help in the healing process of, of some women that desperately need healing and desperately need to know the love of [00:42:00] Jesus. I love that story. You know, the biggest thing I learned in, in my training that I went through was a lot of these women are in this predicament. At no fault of their own, they were mm-hmm. They were groomed or they were kidnapped, or they were, you know, trafficked by somebody that they trusted. Mm-hmm. Or they should have been able to trust and that these, these ladies and some gentlemen, by the way, are people. Valuable people, loved by God. They're not trash and not somebody that we throw away or toss aside, they are, they are children of God and they need Jesus too. Yeah. And, and these are all people that, and I, I don't like think, or in my heart, I don't believe that Jesus means this. In his language, but he's talking to us in our language when he talks about the least of these. Mm-hmm. Because he loves us and [00:43:00] God loves us equally. And there is no true least in God's kingdom. But I think it's, it's Jesus dumbing down the language so that we would understand. And that's why he is like what you do to the least of these you do to me. So yeah, there are people who. Are out there who are high on their own accord, doing their own thing, that are just throwing their lives away because they think it's fun. But you don't know until you know. So don't, I would just ask, never dismiss somebody because they look like a junkie. Mm-hmm. Or they look like they've made some bad choices. 'cause maybe they have, or maybe they're stuck in a situation. And I would always encourage, if nothing else, pray for them. Mm-hmm. And maybe in that prayer time, God's like, Hey, that that's somebody that needs you. But if you're willing to just dismiss everybody 'cause they look like they're scarred from injections or they, their face is broken out from different [00:44:00] things, if you just dismiss 'em automatically, then you're blocking God from reaching you to tell you, hey, they need your help, and God's just gonna have to find somebody else. And you're gonna miss the blessed opportunity to reach somebody that needs the love of Christ. Amen. What are you up to now? You have any new projects in the works coming down the pike? When you said, what are you up to now? I was gonna say six foot two. Um, yeah. Right now, uh, because of, uh, the global thing that's going on and I'm in Illinois, so. Theaters aren't open. We're not doing much as far as the comedy. Um, you know, so everybody's kind of focusing on their family. One of the things I have been doing is connecting with other Christian improvisers and, uh, we're, uh, doing. Semi, uh, maybe once a month. Uh, comedy shows where we just get together and we've never practiced before. We've never rehearsed, but we're gonna [00:45:00] put out, uh, some shows where people can just watch online, watch us improvise and participate. Uh, those, uh, will broadcast live on my Facebook page, and I'll advertise those that you know about a week in advance once we get people able to commit to a date. Um. And the, our first one that we did, we had somebody from West Virginia, somebody from Arkansas, two people from Texas, and Oh, had one person, uh, from Ohio, I believe. So we had like a conglomerate of people from all over the, the nation coming in. Uh, we've never practiced before, but we did improv and. Improv and Christianity are so much alike because to do good improv and to be a good Christian, quote unquote good Christian, you need humility. You need to be willing to support the other person, and you need to be willing to love the other person so that they're successful. Um, so when you come into an improv stage as a Christian [00:46:00] improviser. I mean, you've got all the tools just built in. And so we go, we perform online, we're willing to support each other and it makes it really fun. Now, the way we do it, we don't have crowd, you know, reaction, but because we're together, we kind of know what's funny and we're like, okay, this is, you know, we can laugh at each other. And, uh, just really a lot of fun. It's nothing like the real improv of being on stage and no. Intimate experience, but it's a good substitute. It, it's a good gap filler until we can get past all of what's going on. Yeah. Saw your, your post on, Christian Creatives are on the same group. Yeah. And I'm gonna see if I can try and watch that. That'll be fun. This has been great. I, I so appreciate you coming on the show today and putting up with the, uh, the Zoom demons earlier, and I know you don't do this for, [00:47:00] reward or pat's on the back, but. From me to you, thank you so much for what you do for the Lord and what you do for these ladies, because you are changing people's lives and making a difference. So thank you very much. Thank you. So tell the folks how they can connect with you if they wanna know more information about your ministry. Sure. Well, I actually have three primary things that I'm involved with. GIF for Glory is the kind of the umbrella over everything. Uh, you can find us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook at gifts, the number four, glory. And uh, that's where my podcast is. That's, uh, kind of the over um. Corp corporate umbrella over, um, my personal, uh, speaking in improv coaching where you can find me at, real Dave Ebert. Um, there's actually another comedian who's also from the Midwest, uh, not a Christian, [00:48:00] uh, who's, his name is, uh, Dave or David Ebert. So, uh, so I beat him to the punch and I took the real Dave Ebert. Oh, glad you mentioned that. Um, which is hilarious. 'cause on Twitter I'll often get tagged in things that. I have nothing to do with Christianity or ministry, and it's like kind of embarrassing. Totally. And so I'll respond and I'll be like, Hey, I think you meant this guy. Um, but uh, thanks so much for the shout out. You don't want the credit for some dirty joke. Right, right. Yeah. I mean, I, I. Unfortunately, before Christ really took over my life there, I did say quite a few dirty jokes, especially in wrestling locking rooms. Um, but uh, that's washed by the blood and forgiven and mm-hmm. Um, but yeah. Uh, so at real, Dave Ebert is how you can find me. And there is one thing I do like to, uh, share on any every interview. Is, um, if there's somebody out there that hears this podcast and you're [00:49:00] somebody that's wrestling with depression or considering suicide, uh, my email box is open to you, uh, 24 hours a day. Uh, it goes directly to my phone, and this is an email address. I'll always keep active. So if in 2035 somebody picks up this podcast, that email will be available barring rapture. Um. Yeah, and I say that tongue in cheek, but, uh, if you're somebody that's wrestling, I really want to hear from you and wanna walk you through it. Uh, my email address is Dave at gifts, the number four glory.com. dave@giftsforglory.com. And, uh, I'm not gonna preach at you. I'm not gonna just copy and paste a bunch of scripture. I just want to hear what your story is and I wanna walk with you through it. I know that. In my depression. For me, I feel like had somebody had that option where I could talk to somebody that didn't know me, that didn't have preconceived ideas, that I'm, I would've been willing to just open up. And I'm [00:50:00] hoping that, uh, even one person, if you need that and you just, and I refer to it earlier, that verbal diarrhea, just like, let let it pour out. Uh, my dad was a military man. I was in wrestling for eight years. There's not a curse word I haven't heard. So if you need to curse in your email, don't feel like, oh, he's a pastor. I gotta edit. No, don't worry about that. Just tell me what you're want. A safe person, uh, yeah, and I wanna be there and I want to help in any way I can. If it's just listening and reading your email and just sending a few words back, that's what I wanna do. So that's open for you for, and if you're somebody that knows somebody that's not able to ask for help, uh, you know, contact me and I'll be happy to, uh, to do what I can. That is so awesome. Thank you so much for, for being a resource for, for the listeners, and I hope those that are listening will take advantage of that opportunity. And I love your podcast. [00:51:00] I listen to your podcast every week and you have some great guests on there. And we seem to agree on a lot of, um, things that I won't mention. I don't talk about politics on the show, but yeah. We seem to be on the same page on a lot of things. So thanks again for, for coming on the show tonight. Thank you so much. You as well. And, uh, I hope that, uh, uh, DSW Ministries takes off in the new year and that, uh, you meet every goal that, you've, that you've set forth. God bless you, Dave. Now I'll put all of his information in the show notes for everybody. You are never a victim when you choose to take action. Remember that friends, so we will see you all next week. God bless. Thank you for listening to the Wounds of the Faithful Podcast. If this episode has been helpful to you, please [00:52:00] hit the subscribe button and tell a friend. You could connect with us at DSW Ministries dot org where you'll find our blog, along with our Facebook, Twitter, and our YouTube channel links. Hope to see you next week.

Welcome back maniacs! In the 124th episode of The Metal Maniacs Podcast, hosts Jay Ingersoll and Modd dive headfirst into the 22nd installment of our fan-favorite Reaction Series! You already know what time it is — we're scouring the underground to find the heaviest, most creative, and most unhinged sounds the metal world has to offer.

This episode contains no music from the bands. Streaming has changed their policy to not allow us to use music in our show anymore. You can go to youtube to enjoy the full episode and will have another way for you to enjoy these FULL shows soon. Welcome back maniacs! In the 124th episode of The Metal Maniacs Podcast, hosts Jay Ingersoll and Modd dive headfirst into the 22nd installment of our fan-favorite Reaction Series! You already know what time it is — we're scouring the underground to find the heaviest, most creative, and most unhinged sounds the metal world has to offer.

Is your Empire feeling less than fresh? Does it feel like the modern world's best days are behind it? Do conquest and global power politics not hit as good as they used to? Welcome to the Age of Stagnation, a time when the fruits of the Industrial Revolution can be enjoyed but not replicated.It's making us all a little crazy, especially world leaders. With us today on the show is Michael Beckley, a political science professor at Tufts University and his career includes stretches at the Pentagon, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and the RAND Corporation. To hear Beckley tell it, stagnation might not be such a bad thing. If we can avoid repeating the worst mistakes of the 20th century and let go of a “number go up” mind set, then maybe we can all learn to enjoy a long age of stabilization.The diminishing returns of the Industrial RevolutionWinners and losers in the Age of AscentMoore's Law sputters outStabilization isn't so bad. “We're some of the luckiest people who've ever lived.”Shenanigans and shithouseryAI isn't “ready” yetWhy conquest doesn't work anymoreChina as a paper tiger in the age of stabilizationAmerica's unique advantages“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.” - Mike TysonThe Stagnant OrderI Tried the Robot That's Coming to Live With You. It's Still Part Human.Michael BeckleySupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/warcollege. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alan provides a new Thursday Thought episode. In today's Thursday Thought, Alan asks, "Are you fully tapping the power of AI?" The short answer for most inventors is "no." Alan describes some time-consuming tasks you're doing that AI can do for you - saving you at least 10 hours of time each week to focus on inventing.  Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, so you won't miss a single episode. Website: www.alanbeckley.com

Alan provides a new Thursday Thought episode. In today's Thursday Thought, Alan shares why you must give yourself a break. You juggle many responsibilities including work, family, friends, and more. Sometimes, we drop the ball. Alan shares a 4-step R-A-C-M process to get back on track - while giving yourself a break. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, so you won't miss a single episode. Website: www.alanbeckley.com

Alan provides a new Me on the Mic episode. Today, Alan describes two big myths inventors often believe. One myth is that there's no way you can market your invention - you can. That myth may cause you to spend $10,000 with a company with big promises, zero results. Tune in to learn the other myth, plus how you can learn to license. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, so you won't miss a single episode. Website: www.alanbeckley.com

From July 18, 2024: On today's episode, Matt Gluck, Research Fellow at Lawfare, spoke with Michael Beckley, Associate Professor of Political Science at Tufts, and Arne Westad, the Elihu Professor of History at Yale.They discussed Beckley's and Westad's articles in Foreign Affairs on the best path forward for the U.S.-China strategic relationship—in the economic and military contexts. Beckley argues that in the short term, the U.S. should focus on winning its security competition with China, rather than significant engagement, to prevent conflict. Westad compares the current moment to the period preceding World War I. He cautions that the U.S. and China should maintain strategic communication and avoid an overly narrow focus on competition to stave off large-scale conflict.They broke down the authors' arguments and where they agree and disagree. Does U.S. engagement lower the temperature in the relationship? Will entrenched economic interests move the countries closer to conflict? How can the U.S. credibly deter China from invading Taiwan without provoking Beijing?To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alan provides a new Thursday Thought episode. In today's Thursday Thought, Alan shares why you must avoid any company who seems to be a Jack of All Trades - Master of None. Would you hire someone who mows yards and cleans flowerbeds to do foundation work for you? Learn how inventors make this mistake - and pay thousands for it. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, so you won't miss a single episode. Website: www.alanbeckley.com

Alan provides a new Thursday Thought episode. Today's Thursday Thought is, "When the Student is Ready - the Teacher Will Appear." Whenever you strive to learn or achieve a goal, and it has your full attention - circumstances - the "teacher" - will come your way to provide the solution. Give it a try and watch magic happen. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, so you won't miss a single episode. Website: www.alanbeckley.com

Director of Living Revolution, Brandi Beckley, joins Matt to demystify FF&E (furniture, fixtures, and equipment) for senior living communities. They break down the common design and purchasing mistakes, why cheap furniture costs more in the long run, and how thoughtful choices impact resident and staff experiences. Brandi shares practical insights on creating cohesive, functional spaces that elevate community image and operational ease.Guest BioBrandi Beckley is the Director at Living Revolution, a Chicago-based firm specializing in FF&E solutions for senior living communities. With a background in event management and nonprofit advocacy at LeadingAge Illinois, Brandi brings a unique blend of strategy and empathy to designing functional, beautiful environments that reflect a community's mission and values.Timestamps:01:01 – Brandi's path from international business to senior living02:51 – Why FF&E is more than just furniture shopping04:30 – New builds vs. refreshes: What's trending in senior living design05:20 – The top 3 mistakes communities make when refreshing spaces09:58 – A real-world refresh gone wrong—and how to fix it12:41 – Which products don't hold up in senior living environments14:35 – Rethinking artwork: function, emotion, and wayfinding15:38 – The right first step for a successful refresh16:48 – Brandi's own furniture hacks (and what she doesn't buy for her house)

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia. Today is Tuesday, October 21, 2025. #1 – Fall Monster Trout Stockings Return It's that time of year again — the WVDNR is gearing up to stock more than 40,000 pounds of trout across over 41 lakes and streams during the weeks of October 21 and October 28. Of that total, about 35,000 pounds will be trophy trout (1–2 lbs), and 6,500 pounds will be “monster” trout (3–6 lbs). Here's a twist: 100 monster trout will carry special tags. If you catch one, you can submit your tag number for entry into a prize drawing — the top prize is a lifetime fishing license. wvdnr.gov Read more: WVDNR – Fall Monster Trout Stockings #2 - Tours & Hauntings at Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in Weston is drawing visitors with a mix of historical tours, ghost hunts, and day/night experiences. Built between 1858 and 1881, and once known as Weston State Hospital, the Gothic Revival complex stands out in West Virginia history. Visitors can explore the first floor or take extended tours covering all four floors, staff quarters, morgue, and even an operating room — and after dark, paranormal tours let you chase the supernatural in this storied space. Read more: WVExplorer – Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum #3 – Create Your State Convening Kicks Off in Princeton From October 24–26, Princeton's Grassroots District will host Create Your State Convening 2025, a three-day gathering of artists, educators, civic leaders, and innovators. The event is more than a conference — it's a creative lab. Attendees will engage in workshops, public art installations, peer learning, and community-building through culture and storytelling. Leaders in West Virginia's arts and civic sectors will speak, including contributors from Charleston's public art office, Beckley's arts projects, and cultural advocates across the state. Read more: WVExplorer – Create Your State Convening 2025 Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty, and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.    

Alan provides a new Thursday Thought episode. Today's Thursday Thought is, "The dynamic Duo - Attention and Intention." Alan describes the Principle of Attraction and also the importance of attention and intention. Listen to learn how these 2 precepts of quantum physics can work together to transform your life. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, so you won't miss a single episode. Website: www.alanbeckley.com

Alan provides a new Thursday Thought episode. In today's Thursday Thought, Alan shares the 2 worst decisions inventors make - and why. Both decisions have to do with risk-taking - as inventing is a risky business enterprise. The worst decision is often driven by procrastination or the paralysis of analysis.  Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, so you won't miss a single episode. Website: www.alanbeckley.com

Alan provides a new Me on the Mic episode. Today, Alan shares with you the truth about investors. Do you feel you could succeed if you could find an investor to fund what you can't afford? That myth that may hold you back. Tune in to learn why investors rarely invest in new inventions. It's better to fund it on your own. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, so you won't miss a single episode. Website: www.alanbeckley.com

Alan provides a new Thursday Thought episode. Today's Thursday Thought is, "Answers You Don't Want to Hear." Alan describes 2 of the most common questions inventors ask him. Unfortunately, often they don't want to hear the answers.  But he gives you a bit more detailed answers that you will want to hear and learn from. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, so you won't miss a single episode. Website: www.alanbeckley.com

Alan provides a new Thursday Thought episode. Today's Thursday Thought is, "The Joy in the Moment." Alan describes a key difference between animals and humans. Animals live in the Joy in the Moment. Humans are time travelers: we spend most of our mental time in the past or the future. Time to live in the Joy in the Moment. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, so you won't miss a single episode. Website: www.alanbeckley.com

Join guest host Jim Tate and Gregg Masters for a compelling special series exploring the frontiers of psychedelics—where legal, ceremonial, and therapeutic contexts intersect with public health innovation. On this episode, they sit down with Neil Markey, Co‑Founder and CEO of Beckley Retreats, to uncover how their immersive, legally sanctioned five‑night psilocybin retreats in Jamaica (and truffle retreats in the Netherlands) combine artisanal ritual, high‑caliber safety standards, and group dynamics for transformational experiences. To stream our Station live 24/7 visit www.HealthcareNOWRadio.com or ask your Smart Device to “….Play Healthcare NOW Radio”. Find all of our network podcasts on your favorite podcast platforms and be sure to subscribe and like us. Learn more at www.healthcarenowradio.com/listen

Alan provides a new Thursday Thought episode. Alan asks you a question, "Are you mission driven?" Alan describes how 3 famous entrepreneurs achieved success by pursuing a mission more than pursuing profits. If you wish to achieve success as an inventor, pursue a larger mission with your invention. Over time, profits will come. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, so you won't miss a single episode. Website: www.alanbeckley.com

Episode 293 is the sixth episode of our mini-series on the Tippit murder.  David Belin, the celebrated Warren Commission attorney called  it the "Rosetta Stone" of the JFK assassination. It may very well be... just that! In this episode, we follow the footsteps of Lee Harvey Oswald from his exit out of the back of the Texas School Book Depository to the rooming house at 1026 N Beckley. Even the trek between those two places is full of intrigue and questions, as we recreate the time line that has Oswald arriving at the rooming house at 1:00PM...making it almost impossible for him to have been at the scene 10th and Patton for the murder of officer Tippit. Not only do we track Lee Harvey Oswald, but there is substantial evidence that was ignored by investigators regarding the exit of the Oswald look alike as he exited Dealey Plaza in a Nash Rambler. Don't miss hearing about the  mysterious photographer, a story that is  told at the end of the podcast episode. Yes…there is a grave possibility that the true "Rosetta Stone" of November 22nd, 1963, might just lie in the quiet Dallas suburb of Oak Cliff, waiting for us to finally put the pieces together. This is a wander I've created especially for you…and of all the wanders you have taken with me, this may be the most thrilling of all! 

Alan provides a new Me on the Mic episode. Today, Alan describes 2 myths that may keep you from succeeding as an inventor. Do you feel you could succeed if you could find someone who knows "all the right contacts?" Congratulations: that's a myth that may hold you back. Tune in to learn another myth so many inventors have. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, so you won't miss a single episode. Website: www.alanbeckley.com

Retired police officer Robert Beckley reflects on 40 years of service — from Brixton to Hillsborough and beyond. We discuss crisis response, institutional change, community policing, and why public service and volunteering still matter today.We explore:The misunderstood role of policing: “Policing is about being there in a crisis — when someone needs action, and needs it now.”Rob's early career in Brixton and how his experiences in Sudan shaped his views on culture and policing.Honest reflections on institutional racism and sexism: “Institutional racism isn't about bad people — it's about systems and processes that have disproportionate impacts.”Hillsborough: what really went wrong, the persistence of false narratives, and why “we can never afford complacency in disaster preparedness.”The evolution of crime, the importance of community policing: “Community policing works because people trust officers who know their area and take ownership of local problems.”Rob's year as High Sheriff of Somerset, his advocacy for volunteering, and the civic glue that holds communities together.Advice for aspiring public servants: “In public service, you may never know the lives you've touched — but the impact is real.”This episode provides deep insights into policing, society, and civic responsibility — offering lessons not only for those in public service but for anyone interested in how communities can thrive.Find more episodes, transcripts, and writing at https://www.thendobetter.com/arts/2025/9/14/rob-beckley-insights-from-a-policing-career-hillsborough-amp-civic-service-lessons-podcastEpisode highlights:00:32 – Misunderstandings in Policing01:57 – Early Career in Brixton05:18 – Sudan and Cultural Insights08:51 – Institutional Racism and Sexism18:14 – Hillsborough Disaster33:30 – The Evolution of Crime37:20 – Community Policing51:05 – The Role of High Sheriff54:06 – Volunteering and Civic Society58:16 – Advice for Aspiring Public Servants

Alan provides a new Thursday Thought episode. So many inventors tell Alan, "I submitted my product - got no responses." Alan explores why that frustration happens so often to inventors. He poses 3 questions to you to give you insight as to how to get much better results - with a different approach.  Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, so you won't miss a single episode. Website: www.alanbeckley.com

In the second of our series of interviews, Toast n' Topics speaks with Michael Beckley, Associate Professor of Political Science at Tufts University. We dive into his work on the U.S.–China power balance, exploring the future of U.S. foreign policy, the limits of China's rise, and the broader lessons for how America should navigate great-power rivalry.

Alan provides a new Thursday Thought episode. Alan asks you a question, as an inventor, "Are You Wishing and Hoping?" Alan explores why wishing and hoping for success gives your power to others, makes you a victim. Instead become a victor - who's resilient and resourceful in facing challenges - like the Apollo 13 example. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, so you won't miss a single episode. Website: www.alanbeckley.com

Alan provides a new Thursday Thought episode. Alan asks you a question, as an inventor, "Do you Think You Can?" Alan explores why it is crucial that, when in doubt, you think you can. Alan describes how uncertainty - of thinking you can't - causes inventors to give up when faced with big challenges. So, think that you can. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, so you won't miss a single episode. Website: www.alanbeckley.com

When Mila, a bright and determined young girl, wished for a horse to be named after her, her grandfather Bill Beckley never imagined how deeply it would impact their family. In this episode of World of Wishes, Bill shares the unforgettable journey of Mila's wish—from the naming of the horse, to the electric atmosphere of race day, to the tear-filled celebration in the winner's circle. It's a story of hope, connection, and the magic that happens when the horse racing community comes together to make one child feel truly special.Click here to watch Mila's Wish win the race!https://vimeo.com/1113374633?share=copy

Alan provides a new Me on the Mic episode. Today, Alan describes how to tap the power of AI to save you time and money. Alan shares how many inventors recognize the power of AI, but they aren't using it. Learn how you're wasting time and money if you're waiting. He shares 2 specific parts of every email AI can optimize for you. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, so you won't miss a single episode. Website: www.alanbeckley.com

Alan provides a new Thursday Thought episode. Alan encourages inventors not to make the mistake of "paying for the chandeliers." Inventors often overpay for services they need - by contracting with companies that charge premium prices, for unneeded services. Alan describes how to pay for what you need, at affordable prices. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, so you won't miss a single episode. Website: www.alanbeckley.com

 A haunted country club, an unsolved murder, and a lot of side-eye at the ‘official story.'This week, we take a detour from The Dead Files and dip our toes into Kindred Spirits (Season 7, Episode 10): The Country Club Murders. Set at the eerily elegant Black Knight Country Club in Beckley, West Virginia, this episode delivers high paranormal drama, low lighting, and medium-level mediumship.A couple murdered on Lover's Lane. A doctor who may or may not have tripped to his death (hi, McCulloch). An explosion beneath the golf course. And Chip Coffey in a skull scarf. What more could you want?We discuss the hauntings, the history, the residual energy, and yes—the totally not-suspicious husband who was conveniently unaccounted for the night of the murder.

Alan provides a new Thursday Thought episode. Alan opens this episode with a simple question: Do you have a time budget? A money budget is important to keep your finances in order. To succeed as an inventor you must have a time budget.  Alan shares his story on creating a time budget - so he could write a novel.  Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, so you won't miss a single episode. Website: www.alanbeckley.com

Alan provides a new Thursday Thought episode. Like Jeopardy, this episode begins with an answer: Ask Good Questions It's the answer to a common inventor question: how do you know if you can trust someone before you work with them? Alan provides a couple of good examples of inventors asking good questions. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, so you won't miss a single episode. Website: www.alanbeckley.com

Alan provides a new Me on the Mic episode. Today, Alan share with you why your future not only begins today, but now is the only time that matters. Alan shares 5 thoughts from Eckhart Tolle from his book The Power of Now. Begin to live right now, in the present moment, and tomorrow will be brighter for you. Give it a try. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, so you won't miss a single episode. Website: www.alanbeckley.com

Alan provides a new Thursday Thought episode. In this episode, Alan explores the joy of creating. Inventing a product is unlike any other creative endeavor. Unlike an artist, the inventor doesn't start out with a vision of the end product. You seek to solve a problem - then set out to create something new - a new solution. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, so you won't miss a single episode. Website: www.alanbeckley.com

On this weeks episode Brendan sits down with Brian Beckley and Josh Murauskas for a deep dive into PIT tags - a small electronic device used in fisheries science for a number of interesting applications.  You're in good hands as Brian is the president of Voda IQ, a company that makes PIT Tags and Josh has used them throughout North America in a number of applications.  They discuss the what how and why of PIT Tags, the origins of PIT tags in fisheries science, and how they are used and applied throughout North America. Brian wants you to know that you can head to https://www.vodaiq.com/ to learn more about their products.  Josh recommends you check out his paper on transoceanic migration of Pacific Lamprey here, and reach him on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-murauskas-1591b271/  if you have any questions!   Main point: Don't underestimate the value of PIT tags, and make sure you've got a great statistician to help you understand your data!     Get in touch with us! The Fisheries Podcast is on Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky: @FisheriesPod  Become a Patron of the show: https://www.patreon.com/FisheriesPodcast Buy podcast shirts, hoodies, stickers, and more: https://teespring.com/stores/the-fisheries-podcast-fan-shop Thanks as always to Andrew Gialanella for the fantastic intro/outro music. The Fisheries Podcast is a completely independent podcast, not affiliated with a larger organization or entity. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the podcast. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by the hosts are those of that individual and do not necessarily reflect the view of any entity with those individuals are affiliated in other capacities (such as employers).

Alan provides a new Thursday Thought episode. In this episode, Alan asks, "Are you thick-skinned?" Successful inventors are thick-skinned: they're unflappable in the face of challenges and criticisms. Alan gives you a 5-step process to respond to setbacks. Remember - negative thinking will never yield positive epiphanies. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, so you won't miss a single episode. Website: www.alanbeckley.com

Alan provides a new Me on the Mic episode. If you've pitched your product many times, but don't seem to get much traction.  The problem is probably not your product - the problem is your messaging. Alan shares 3 different message problems you may have - then a template to solve them. Learn how to pitch so they'll get it! Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, so you won't miss a single episode. Website: www.alanbeckley.com

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia. Today is Sunday, July 20, 2025. #1 – From WV Hub WV Hub shares five lessons learned from successful community‑driven development projects—from small towns to city main streets. The insights cover topics like youth engagement, public‑private partnerships, and place‑based branding that strengthens local identity. These ideas can inspire communities across Almost Heaven to grow stronger, together. Read more: https://wvhub.org/2025/07/five-lessons-wv-community-development/   #2 – From WV SBDC The West Virginia Small Business Development Center has named Lyla Grandstaff as its new business coach serving Buckhannon and the surrounding region. Grandstaff brings experience in mentorship, startup strategy, and business growth—and is ready to help entrepreneurs launch, scale, and succeed locally. Interested business owners are encouraged to connect with her for support in Almost Heaven. Read more: https://wvsbdc.com/the-wv-sbdc-names-lyla-grandstaff-as-new-business-coach-serving-the-buckhannon-area/   #3 – From Visit Southern WV Planning your next West Virginia adventure? Visit Southern WV's official travel portal offers trip ideas, scenic drives, event listings, and seasonal itineraries. From hidden waterfalls to local festivals, the site helps you unlock the many ways to experience Almost Heaven. It's your guide to discovering small towns, big nature, and mountain charm in the New River Gorge, Beckley and beyond. Explore: https://visitwv.com/   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty, and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo. That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.

Alan provides a new Thursday Thought episode. In this episode, Alan shares 5 red flags of scammers. He describes 5 different ways invention marketing company scammers can bilk you out of large sums of money. Learn to avoid their clever entreaties that fool you into buying their dubious product offerings. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, so you won't miss a single episode. Website: www.alanbeckley.com

Emma Kaʻilikapuolono Metcalf Beckley Nakuina (1847-1929) was a highly regarded authority on Hawaiian water rights law and unofficially considered Hawaii’s first female judge. Descended from an American sugar planter and a Hawaiian high chiefess, she was born a kaukau ali’i and educated in cultural customs and water rights from a young age. She was a curator of the Hawaiian National Museum, a Commissioner of Private Ways and Water Rights, a supporter of women’s suffrage, and a prolific writer on Hawaiian culture during the colonization of her homeland. For Further Reading: Emma Ka’ilikapuolono Metcalf Beckley Nakuina – First Wave Feminisms Emma Nakuina - Hawai‘i Women's Suffrage Centennial Commemoration Video Replay available: Emma Nakuina & the Preservation of Hawaiian Culture – Historic Hawaii Foundation This month, we’re talking about Maritime Madams. Whether through scientific study, aquatic exploration, or legendary prowess, they harnessed the power of the bodies of waters that cover our earth. History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn’t help wondering... where were all the ladies at? Why were so many incredible stories missing from the typical curriculum? Enter, Womanica. On this Wonder Media Network podcast we explore the lives of inspiring women in history you may not know about, but definitely should. Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we’ll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know–but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Educators, Villains, Indigenous Storytellers, Activists, and many more. Womanica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures. Womanica was created by Liz Kaplan and Jenny Kaplan, executive produced by Jenny Kaplan, and produced by Grace Lynch, Maddy Foley, Brittany Martinez, Edie Allard, Carmen Borca-Carrillo, Taylor Williamson, Sara Schleede, Paloma Moreno Jimenez, Luci Jones, Abbey Delk, Adrien Behn, Alyia Yates, Vanessa Handy, Melia Agudelo, and Joia Putnoi. Special thanks to Shira Atkins. Original theme music by Brittany Martinez. Follow Wonder Media Network: Website Instagram Twitter See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alan provides a new Thursday Thought episode. In this episode, Alan posits "How to Stay Focused." He mentions that focus is essential for your success as an inventor. But how can you stay focused? Alan shares 3 different ways to do so that worked for him and other inventors. The first one is obvious - but few inventors do it. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, so you won't miss a single episode. Website: www.alanbeckley.com

Alan provides a new Thursday Thought episode. In this episode, Alan asks a question, "Are you too busy?" He shares a 3-question litmus test to determine if you're too busy - to be an inventor. As you'll hear - it's never about being "too busy," but rather how you prioritize your time. You find time for what is important to you. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, so you won't miss a single episode. Website: www.alanbeckley.com

Alan provides a new Thursday Thought episode. In this episode, Alan asks you a question, "Are you willing to do - what most people won't?" He shares 3 things successful inventors do - that most aren't willing to do. Listen in to determine if you haven't been willing to do any of these 3 essential behaviors for success. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, so you won't miss a single episode. Website: www.alanbeckley.com

(PLEASE NOTE: Andrew's audio is slightly compromised in this episode.)   SUMMARY In this episode, Adam Beckley shares his journey through martial arts, beginning from a challenging childhood marked by bullying and poverty in rural Vermont. He recounts how a pivotal moment watching a martial arts film ignited his passion for self-defense and empowerment. Despite facing obstacles in accessing training, Adam's determination led him to discover a sense of belonging and purpose in martial arts. His experiences highlight the transformative power of community, mentorship, and resilience in overcoming life's challenges. In this conversation, Adam Beckley shares his journey through martial arts, detailing his struggles with back pain and how Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu became a transformative force in his life. He discusses the impact of the pandemic on his training and community, the growth of his martial arts school, and the importance of teaching methods that connect with students. Adam emphasizes the value of perseverance in martial arts and the lifelong benefits it brings.   TAKEAWAYS The impact of bullying on self-esteem and confidence. The challenges of accessing martial arts training as a child. The transformative power of mentorship in martial arts. The value of competition as a means of self-assessment. Training in martial arts can be a motivator to stay active. The pandemic disrupted training but led to new opportunities. Teaching martial arts requires understanding how students learn. Making training fun increases student engagement and retention. Grappling in Jiu-Jitsu is calming compared to striking. Support from the community can lead to unexpected opportunities. Martial arts knowledge is a lifelong asset that can't be taken away.

Alan provides a new Thursday Thought episode. In this episode, Alan shares a bit of his back story. He shares 5 different ways that he has helped other inventors and can help you also. Alan named this podcast "Inventors Helping Inventors" because he is passionate about helping other inventors. Reach out to him if you need help.  Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, so you won't miss a single episode. Website: www.alanbeckley.com

Today, we're talking about “Everything you need to know about progesterone” with the CEO and Founder of Proov test, Dr. Amy Beckley. With a PhD in pharmacology, and a history of infertility, Dr. Beckley created a test to confirm successful ovulation at home by tracking PdG. She founded MFB Fertility, Inc. and invented the Proov test in her own basement. Now women can purchase this test, and get results in just five minutes at home. Read the full show notes on Dr. Aimee's website Would you like to learn about Egg Freezing?Click here to join Dr. Aimee for The Egg Freezing Class. The next live class call is on Monday, June 16, 2025 at 4pm PST, where Dr. Aimee will explain Egg Freezing and there will be time to ask her your questions live on Zoom.  Dr. Aimee Eyvazzadeh is one of America's most well known fertility doctors. Her success rate at baby-making is what gives future parents hope when all hope is lost. She pioneered the TUSHY Method and BALLS Method to decrease your time to pregnancy. Learn more about the TUSHY Method and find a wealth of fertility resources at www.draimee.org. Other ways to connect: Subscribe to my YouTube channel for more fertility tips Join Egg Whisperer School Subscribe to the newsletter to get updates