Podcasts about Bedouin

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Homily: The Prodigal Son, The Lost Sheep, and the RavenFr. Marc BoulosSunday, February 8, 2026In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.Today's Gospel (Luke 15:11-32) forms a diptych with the parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:3-7), which unfortunately is used systematically by the followers of Epstein, or, more accurately, by those captivated by the mentality of Epstein ecclesiology: the business model of church growth that treats the neighbor as a commodity.Which is everyone.Because if you are an American, or a European, or anyone who subscribes to the ideology of the elite class, the success ideology, the growth ideology, the manifestation ideology, you ultimately view your neighbor as property, as lesser, as acquisition. Or, as Satan has taught the Church in the West to say, you refer to your neighbor as a “giving unit.” It is a disgusting phrase.No less ugly than what they used to say when I was a child. They claimed to count souls, but they were counting giving units.Now, the key to hearing the parable of the Lost Sheep is to hear the accusation of the Pharisees and the scribes that prompted the parable, and to hear it in the context of Noah, which governs Luke. Jesus gives the parable of the Lost Sheep because he is accused of receiving:“This man receives sinners and eats with them.” (Luke 15:2)That is the key. He is accused of receiving sinners. What is returned to him from the wilderness is what is received.The prodigal, as you should know by now, is not praised for coming back. He simply returns. The parable of the Lost Sheep is about instruction, about remaining under command whether inside the fold or outside it. This is what is at stake when the follower says “No.”It is also what is at stake with the two birds in the account of the flood. You have a raven (Genesis 8:7) and you have a dove (Genesis 8:8-12).For those of you who study what I teach, you know the significance of the raven. For those who do not, the work is here. The rest is between you and God.In Hebrew, the word often associated with the raven is derived from three consonants, ʿayin, resh, bet. It refers to a migratory, nomadic bird, associated with the locality of the ʿArabah, the Syro-Arabian wilderness known to you as Mesopotamia, encompassing Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and Iraq. The raven is nomadic in a very specific biblical sense. It pertains to peoples who mix among tribes and who come out at night. These are the tribes that fed Elijah. That is the raven Noah sends out.The word used is “release.” It corresponds to the same verb Jesus uses when he sends out the Twelve to proclaim the judgment of the Kingdom in Luke chapter 9, verse 2. He releases them under instruction.What is interesting is that this corresponds to the usage of the word “Bedouin” in the Qur'an. You have heard me speak about Bedouins, and many of you assume I am speaking about Arab culture. I could not care less about culture. I am speaking about Scripture.The Bedouins appear in the Bible and in the Qur'an, and they have a function. In Genesis 8:6-12, Noah sends out the raven before the Lord breaks his silence. The Lord had not spoken since the flood began, when he shut the ark with his own hand behind Noah (Genesis 7:16). He does not speak again until Genesis 8:15. There is release from Noah, but there is no command from God. The raven goes out into a world not yet ordered by divine speech. Noah releases the raven into disorder in anticipation of God's instruction, which alone can establish order. The same is true of the dove. Both are sent out, released in hope that they might return. It is not demanded. It is a free gesture. That is how it works.In this absence, the dove's return unfolds within divine silence, not compelled by a new command but moving in anticipation of the word by which God alone restores order. The decisive reality is the command of God, not human initiative.The prodigal, sitting on the dung heap, cannot boast, “I came back.” He came back because he was hungry. In the house of the Father, every voice is silenced before the obedience of Jesus (Philippians 2:6-11).In the Qur'an, the striking thing about the Bedouins is their obstinacy. (Rise, Andalus, p. 53; Sūrat al-Tawbah, “The Repentance, The Return” 9:97) They exist on the edge. That is why this question of sinners among the peoples on the boundaries, in the night watches, matters. Those are the ones Jesus receives. That is what angers the Pharisees and the scribes in Luke. Those whom they despise, the ravens, exist on the edge, beyond the proclamation of what is read aloud. And now they are stepping within range of that proclamation.The word Qur'an means “what is read aloud,” the proclamation of the word of God. It is rooted in Arabic, a Semitic tongue like Hebrew. Those on the margins live beyond the reach of that proclamation. The lost are released, sometimes under instruction, sometimes in hope of the instruction that alone can call them back.So for Jesus, the concern is whether the sinners and the tax collectors are within reach of the proclamation. What is truly problematic is that the scribes and Pharisees complain when the prodigals return from the edges to hear what Jesus is announcing.That is the issue.But the problem with the Epstein business model of church growth is that it does not care what Jesus is saying. In that model, the neighbor is a giving unit. So it cannot let the prodigal go.In the parable of The Prodigal (Luke 15:11-32), the father never compels the son to return. In Paul's teaching, you are never permitted to force someone to remain married to you (1 Corinthians 7:15). It is forbidden. This teaching carries over into the Qur'an as well: you are not allowed to compel anyone (Sūrat al-Baqarah 2:256; see also 4:19; 2:231).But in the Epstein model of church growth, it does not work that way. In that model, it is the opposite of what we heard today, namely, that your body does not belong to you:“You are not your own.” (1 Corinthians 6:19)The body to which Paul refers is the body politic of Jesus Christ. You are not permitted to sin against it for profit. You may not exploit any living soul for gain, least of all your own. Not according to the parable of the Lost Sheep.According to that same instruction, a sheep may be sent away and allowed to go until it heeds the call and returns, and is then received with joy according to the command, but never chased or coerced. Some sheep may even be handed over to Satan for a time, unto destruction, if they jeopardize the fold (1 Corinthians 5:5;1 Timothy 1:20). But not in the Epstein model of church growth, which cares only about security, growth, and success.God does not care about buildings, institutions, or church growth. He does not care about constitutions, or borders, or nations, or tribes. He cares about your living, breathing, precious soul.“For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul?” (Mark 8:36-37)I am not God. But I am responsible to teach what God has commanded us to teach.May we submit to God's instruction like the dove, returning in hope of the word by which God alone establishes order.To him alone be the glory, the dominion, and the majesty, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen....

As part of the series Living Confidently in Times of Great Change, Isaiah 54:1–3 calls the people of God to prepare for expansion:“Sing, barren woman… burst into song… Enlarge the place of your tent… do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left…”These words were spoken to a people who saw themselves as captives and victims. Jerusalem had been destroyed, the temple ruined, and the nation scattered. Yet God declared that restoration and multiplication were coming. They were not to prepare for survival—but for growth.History shows what can happen when this word is taken seriously. In 1792, a young shoemaker, William Carey, preached from this very passage and ended with the now-famous challenge: “Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.” From that moment the modern missionary movement was launched. What began small grew to impact nations. God still calls His people to move from limitation into expansion.1. It's Time To SingIsaiah 54:1 “Sing, barren woman… burst into song…”The command to sing was given to the barren, the fruitless, the disappointed and the hurting. Before they saw change, before fruit appeared, they were told to rejoice.Captivity had stolen their song. God was restoring it.Singing represents a mindset shift—from despair to faith, from victim to victor. Revival always carries a sound of praise because it reflects confidence that the Redeemer lives.Isaiah 54 continues with promises of: Growth, Dignity, Restoration, Everlasting love, Prosperity, Family blessing, ProtectionThe season of barrenness does not define the future. The first step into new growth is choosing praise before the breakthrough appears.2. It's Time To Stretch Isaiah 54:2–3“Enlarge the place of your tent… do not hold back… For you will spread out to the right and to the left.”The exiles had developed a survival mentality. When people face hardship, the instinct is often to withdraw, conserve, and protect what remains. But God commands the opposite: Do not hold back.The imagery is of a Bedouin tent being expanded—new skins added, cords lengthened, territory extended. Growth requires stretching beyond comfort.This is the mission of the Church:Acts 1:8 – “You will be my witnesses… to the ends of the earth.”Matthew 28:19 – “Go and make disciples of all nations.”Growth means moving outward—into communities, workplaces, campuses and neighbourhoods. It means sharing the gospel intentionally and believing for multiplication.Stretching requires faith. It requires stepping up to lead, to serve, to speak, to invite. Fear shrinks back; faith expands forward.3. It's Time To StrengthenIsaiah 54:2 “…strengthen your stakes.”Expansion without strengthening leads to collapse. As growth increases, foundations must deepen.• Strengthen Yourself In The WordPsalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp for my feet.”2 Timothy 3:16–17 – “All Scripture is God-breathed… so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped.”The Word equips, corrects, trains and guides. Growth demands daily discipline in Scripture. Strong tents require strong stakes.• Strengthen Yourself In The Holy SpiritJohn 3:34 – “God gives the Spirit without limit.”Acts 1:8 – “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you…”Jesus was “full of the Holy Spirit” (Luke 4:1). Effective witness flows from spiritual empowerment. Stretching cannot happen in human strength. Dependence on the Holy Spirit must deepen daily.• Strengthen Yourself OrganisationallyGrowth also requires order. Time, habits, finances, priorities and family life must align with purpose. Capacity must increase to sustain expansion.Organisation creates room for multiplication.In ConclusionGod is preparing His people for new levels of growth. The word is clear:Sing – shift the mindset from barrenness to fruitfulness.Stretch – refuse to hold back; expand in faith.Strengthen – deepen foundations in the Word, the Spirit and disciplined living.Isaiah 54:4 declares:“Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame.”This is not a season of retreat, but of advance. Not survival, but multiplication. Not limitation, but expansion.Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.

Belyssa is a pioneering figure in Australian belly dance who founded the Belyssa Academy of Danse Orientale and the Flames of Araby troupe, establishing a legacy of dramatic, classical artistry. Over the past 30 years, Belyssa has dedicated herself to documenting the raw, earthbound rhythms and movements of isolated Bedouin tribes in the Sinai and Western Desert, far removed from the theatrical polish of Cairo stages. This deep anthropological work defines her current teaching philosophy, "Just Dance," which focuses on transmitting authentic micro-mannerisms and a profound, respectful connection to community traditions rather than mere choreography. Today, she holds a massive, sensitive archive of cultural documentation and continues to mentor dancers globally, advocating for the ethical preservation of dance as a living memory of its people.In this episode you will learn about:- How dance lives in social contexts that most performers never witness- What she discovered about Bedouin celebrations, gender dynamics, and who actually dances — and when- The ethical dilemma of carrying stories that are not fully yours when sharing her research publicly- Her firsthand experience of Ramadan and how it shifted her perception of cultural moments- The difference between staged folklore and lived embodied practiceShow Notes to this episode:Find Belyssa on Facebook, and her Academy Page.Details the BDE shows and training programs are available at www.JoinBDE.comDetails the BDE shows and training programs are available at www.JoinBDE.comFollow Iana on Instagram, FB, and Youtube . Check out her online classes and intensives at the Iana Dance Club.Find information on how you can support Ukraine and Ukrainian belly dancers HERE.Podcast: www.ianadance.com/podcast

The Netanyahu government may not have officially annexed the West Bank, but the ongoing settler violence expelling Palestinian communities from their land – plus the changes in regulation imposing Israeli authority and areas meant for Palestinian self-rule – is driving momentum in that direction, Haaretz West Bank correspondent Matan Golan said on the Haaretz Podcast. Golan described the ongoing ordeal in the Bedouin community of Mukhmas on the podcast, a case study which illustrates the settlers' use of daily harassment and ongoing attacks on both residents and their property to force Palestinians to relocate into an increasingly small portion of the territory. The settler outpost of Kol Mevaser terrorizing Mukhmas "has been depopulated and destroyed at least nine times," by Israeli authorities since its establishment in late October, when the young settlers living there engaged in their first spree of beatings, assaults and arson. "Each time, the settlers just escape to the hills below – and despite the fact that it's a closed military zone," she said, they return – and later brag of their destructive acts against Palestinians on social media. The IDF has consistently failed to provide enough protection for Palestinian residents to remain in their homes, she said. The Israeli and international activists try to provide a protective presence, which helps prolong the Palestinians' struggles to remain, but it has proven unsuccessful: Nearly 50 communities have been forcibly displaced since summer 2023, according to B'Tselem. On the podcast, Golan also discusses the recent announcement by Netanyahu government officials declaring that it is taking authority in areas meant to be controlled by the Palestinian Authority, in violation of the Oslo Accords. The fact that such measures are being taken to weaken the Palestinian Authority and prevent a two-state solution, she said, "are no secret." Read more: Out-of-control Hooded Settlers: Jewish Outpost Was Evacuated 9 Times – and Rebuilt Immediately How Israeli Settlers Destroyed Mukhmas In Four Minutes Israeli Settler Violence Against Palestinians in West Bank Rose 25 Percent in 2025, IDF Finds 'How Can a Father Tell Their Child That Settlers Burned Down Their House?' Israel to Expand Law Enforcement in Palestinian-controlled West Bank Areas, Defying Oslo Accords Israel Claims It Can't Protect Palestinians From Settler Attacks Due to IDF Personnel Shortage Investigation: Netanyahu's Government Not Only Permits Jewish Terror in the West Bank, but Also Finances ItSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Occupied Thoughts, FMEP Fellow Peter Beinart speaks with Myssana Morany, a lawyer and coordinator of the Land and Planning Rights Unit of Adalah, the legal center for Arab minority rights in Israel, and Sarit Michaeli, the International Advocacy Director at the Israeli human rights organization B'Tselem. They discuss forcible transfer and ethnic cleansing in the West Bank and the Naqab/Negev, looking at shared patterns of policy and action that supports Jewish control over land, enacting and entrenching the regime of Jewish supremacy from the Jordan river to the Mediterranean sea. They look at specific mechanisms of displacement and dispossession of Palestinian communities, particularly rural herding and farming communities, and the dozens of communities - including tens of thousands of Palestinians - made homeless or vulnerable by this regime. Patterns include: increased home demolitions, segregationist urban planning processes, the refusal of the Supreme Court to protect or defend Palestinian land rights, and the increase in political support for crowding Palestinians into urban areas or removing them from their land altogether. Additionally, the last two-plus years has seen a massive acceleration of settler violence and terror against Palestinian communities in the West Bank, which is backed by every arm of the Israeli state. Speakers:  Myssana Morany joined Adalah as a lawyer in 2014. In 2019, she was appointed coordinator of the Land and Planning Rights Unit. Myssana's work in the Naqab includes representing several Bedouin communities facing displacement and challenging state intiatives and master plans that induce displacement. Sarit Michaeli is International Advocacy Director at B'Tselem. She joined B'Tselem in 2004 as its media spokesperson and director of public outreach. Sarit has an MA (Distinction) in Gender Studies from Birkbeck College, University of London, and a BA in graphic design from Camberwell College of Art, the London Institute. Peter Beinart is a Non-Resident Fellow at the Foundation for Middle East Peace. He is also a Professor of Journalism and Political Science at the City University of New York, a Contributing opinion writer at the New York Times, an Editor-at-Large at Jewish Currents, and an MSNBC Political Commentator. His newest book (published 2025) is Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza: A Reckoning. Original music by Jalal Yaquoub.

NYUMBA returns this February with another full-length show. This month's WeAreiDyll Selects features new music headed to WeAreiDyl Records, with picks from TAU, Native Tribe, Wisso, Da Africa Deep, and Warren Deep. Join us at our events to hear these tracks played live first. The NYUMBA DJ section will be hosted by resident Kakura, bringing the energy with a 35-minute Afro House mix packed with music from Atsou, N1NJA, Vizano, Shyam, and more. Guest DJ: Argento Dust Durban-bred house producer and DJ Argento Dust has built a reputation as one of South Africa's most underrated talents. Emerging from the city's underground scene, his high-calibre releases have earned support from leading artists, including Black Coffee. He has shared stages with respected names across the industry, performed on prominent platforms, and was selected for the Super Africans collective—signalling his rise as a strong contender among Africa's next breakout artists. His journey began in 2010 with the House Junkies collective, and in 2018 he teamed up with Shimza on “All Alone,” released as part of Shimza's All Alone EP. ⚡️Like the Show? Click the [Repost] ↻ button so more people can hear it!

Réécoutez Maxximum DJ's avec Laurent N. du dimanche 25 janvier 2026PLAYLIST RITUAL OF LANDS #49 : 1 - House Villains “Life“ (Universal Music Africa 001)2 - Mr Raoul K, Kwakumela, Ahmed Sosso “Djombeni Dakan“ (MoBlack Records 666)3 - Lakwister “L.C.O.N.S“ (Deep In Your Soul 077)4 - AFU (KE), Neil Amarey “Solara“ (My Other Side of the Moon 9026)5 - Jigar & Roland Clark “Masters of Destiny“ (Deep In Your Soul 078)6 - Emanuele Esposito “Raqs Sharqi“ (Unreleased)7 - Drega “Gandia“ (Universal Music Africa 001)8 - No Parachute “Calese“ (Sol Selectas 127)9 - LIBOZ “Groove is Afro House“ (UML Records)10- Kashovski “Timbo“ (Monaberry 166)11- Shooma, Monji-Didit, ÜDORĀ, CHUKWUMA “Work AM“ (Kitisuru 033)12- Aytiwan & Harmonique “Believe“ (Afrosteria 053)13- Bedouin, Hiya “Salaam“ (Human By Default 064)

In March 2011, The Sunday Times ran an article on the discovery of a mysterious cache of palm-sized, ring-bound books made of lead. These lead codices, as they have become known, contain mysterious symbols and inscriptions. One tablet in particular features a portrait of Jesus and has preserved the seven seals that would have bound it together along its left-hand side.  David and Jennifer Elkington photographed the books, brought samples to the UK for analysis, and assembled a team of eminent scholars to study them. At the same time, the books were quickly becoming an international phenomenon, the Israelis and Jordanians began a very public dispute over the location of the site where they were discovered. Convinced that the codices are the earliest Christian documents ever found, the Elkingtons put their reputations on the line as they raced to authenticate the find amidst an array of vested interests which sought to suppress them.  In their quest to crack the code, the Elkingtons have been subjected to personal threat but they have continued the fight to ensure the world understands the importance of the codices, which may well pre-date the New Testament. Their significance in our understanding of early Christianity cannot be underestimated.One day in Oxfordshire, England, in 2007, husband and wife academics David and Jennifer Elkington viewed a set of photographs that would change their lives. The objects in the pictures appeared to be antiquated books, made of metal and replete with iconography and inscribed with ancient script.The couple travelled to Jordan where the codices were found, brought samples to the UK for analysis and assembled a team of eminent scholars t study them. At the same time, the books were quickly becoming an international phenomenon - the Israelis and Jordanians began a very public dispute over the location of the site where they were discovered. Convinced that the codices are the earliest Christian artefacts ever found, the Elkingtons put their reputations on the line as they raced to authenticate the find amidst an array of vested interests that sought to suppress them.This is the journey that takes them from the sleepy shires of England to harrowing trips to the Middle East, involving Bedouin dealers and expeditions to unexplored caverns dating from the dawn of Christianity."Although I heard, I did not understand. So I said, 'My Lord, what shall be the end of these things?' He replied, 'Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed until the end of time.'" DANIEL 12:8-9https://www.leadbookcentre.com/about-us.phpBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/earth-ancients--2790919/support.

Character (S6) Humour in our beautiful Deen: Huzhayfah Ibn al-Yaman رضي الله عنهم eloquently jokes with Umar رضي الله عنه to lighten the workload on Umar's رضي الله عنه shoulders as he was the Ameer. A Bedouin got married at and old age. When asked why, he said: “I prefer my son to become an orphan before he could be able to disobey me!”. A Bedouin said: “I wasn't good looking but I was intelligent. I married a beautiful woman who wasn't intelligent, hoping my children would inherit my intelligence and her looks. They inherited my looks and her foolishness!”.

Until 1984, there was no road connecting the oasis of Siwa and its 8,000 Bedouin residents with the rest of Egypt. Lost deep in the desert near the Libyan border, the country's most remote oasis was long unknown to tourists. But over the past decade, videos of visitors floating in turquoise salt lakes, climbing the 13th-century citadel or wandering through palm groves have flooded social media.

Israel police aided by Border Police and the IDF quickly nabbed an armed gang of Bedouin who posed at IDF troops and robbed a Palestinian jewelry store in Judea. Israel Police spokesman St. Sgt. Dean Elsdoun spoke with reporter Arieh O’Sullivan about the unusual event. (photo: Israel Police) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Residents in the south are decrying the lawlessness that has taken hold of many of the areas due to Bedouin crime.Mayor of the community of Meitar near Bersheva, Shimon Peretz, who was meeting with President Isaac Herzog on the matter, told KAN that greater law enforcement was required, particularly to confiscate weapons. He said the relationships between the Jews and Bedouin were suffering and there was a growing insecurity by residents in the Negev. (photo: Moshe Shai/flash90)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back to the Magician On Duty Journey Series! Magician On Duty Journey Series opens a new chapter in 2026 with Melamanos (@melamanos), a selector from Minsk, Belarus, whose relationship with music is less about genre and more about devotion. This is sound chosen with intention — soulful, patient, and unafraid to linger in the in-between. A true believer in the art of the slow dance, Melamanos moves through a wide emotional spectrum: from multicultural electronica and organic rhythms to romantic, introspective shades of tech. Since 2018, his path has been guided by downtempo and midtempo currents, tribal echoes, folktronic details, and the hypnotic pull of chillrave — music designed not to rush, but to breathe. His vision has shaped countless slow-rave gatherings in Minsk and carried him across distant dancefloors in Istanbul, Tbilisi, Milan, Moscow, Ericeira, and Ponta Delgada. When physical borders fade, his sound continues to travel — through podcasts and mixtapes shared with downtempo communities around the world. Now, that journey lands in Miami, woven into the fabric of Magician On Duty. This Journey Series mix is an exercise in balance and honesty. A gentle tension between slow and fast, light and shadow, beauty and imperfection. Melodies dissolve into minimalism, the old converses with the new, and movement emerges naturally from stillness. It is introspective without losing its pulse — a mix that invites both contemplation and dance. Featuring music from Dandara & Arutani, Niklas Paschburg, Bedouin, Geju, Ninze, Roze, MC and me, and more, the selection unfolds like a quiet ritual — subtle, deep, and deeply human. This is music for late hours and open minds. A slow flame, carefully tended. An invitation to listen, feel, and move — honestly. Enjoy the journey. Follow Melamanos here: soundcloud.com/melamanos instagram.com/me.lama.nos Tracklist: Dandara & Arutani - Too Close (Iorie's Pink Glasses Mix) Niklas Paschburg - Tuur Mang Welten (Sydney Seymour Edit) Biralo feat. Jerry - Endless Story (AVM Extended Version) 9EYE - Loco Pilot Lukas Endhardt - Chegou O Rei Congo Dr Parnassus - Locomotiva Billy Caso - LA Landhouse & Raddantze - Nicht Mit Jup Dieter Iannis Ritter & Christopher Schwarzwalder - Bob Ross Lokke & Wodoo Wolcan - 00deep und das gefährliche Unterstrassphantom Ninze - trmpln O-Y - Achromasie Geju - Amm Roze feat. Eisor - Dare You Lui Mafuta - One More Time kalupke - Alonely Arutani - Láska Thujan - Gorkana Bedouin - Tomorrow Never Knows (Andara Edit) MC and me - Laughing Gas (Laaar & Diereva remix)

Israel welcomes Trump strike on Venezuela. Prime Minister Netanyahu rebuffs attorney general challenge to fire Ben Gvir. Police fatally shoot Bedouin man during raid in Negev town.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The U.S. carries out airstrikes against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria. American companies sell rights to potential tariff refunds to hedge funds for pennies on the dollar awaiting a Supreme Court ruling. Bedouin farmers say Israeli West Bank settlers have driven them from Palestinian-owned land using molotov cocktails. Plus, food makers introduce smaller portions and high-protein offerings as weight-loss medications grow more popular. Listen to Morning Bid podcast ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠. Sign up for the Reuters Econ World newsletter ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠. Listen to the Reuters Econ World podcast ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠. Find the Recommended Read here. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Isaiah expert and Old Testament scholar Dr. John Oswalt is our guest again this week on the Profile. On this episode John discusses the discovery of the Great Isaiah Scroll in Qumran in 1947, more of Isaiah 53, and the prophecy of Cyrus the Great in chapter 45. Dr. John Oswalt Asbury served on the faculty of Asbury Theological seminary from 1970 to 1982 as professor of Old Testament and Semitic languages, and again from 1989 to 1999 as Professor of Old Testament. He rejoined Asbury in 2009 as visiting distinguished professor of Old Testament studies. He has also served as research professor of Old Testament at Wesley Biblical Seminary in Jackson, Miss., from 1999 to 2009, was president of Asbury College from 1983 to 1986, a member of the faculty of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Ill., from 1986 to 1989, and  Interim President of Wesley Biblical Seminary, Ridgeland, MS from April 2019 through March 2020.He is the author of 16 books, most notable of which is the two-volume commentary on the book of Isaiah in the New International Commentary of the Old Testament. His most recent book is The Holy One of Israel: Studies in the Book of Isaiah, released in 2014. He has also written numerous articles that have appeared in Bible encyclopedias, scholarly journals and popular religious periodicals. Dr. Oswalt is an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church, with membership in the Kentucky Annual Conference. He has served as a part-time pastor in congregations in New England and Kentucky, and is a frequent speaker in conferences, camps and local churches. Oswalt received a B.A. from Taylor University; a B.D. and Th.M. from Asbury Seminary; and a M.A. and Ph.D. from Brandeis University.The Bible Among the Myths Isaiah CommentaryResources from Watchman Fellowship Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Bart Ehrman by Dr. Rhyne Putman: www.watchman.org/Ehrman FREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.The complete Profile Notebook (Digital Edition, PDF, over 600-pages): www.watchman.org/DigitalNotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2025 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

Today, we travel to my favorite place on the planet: the desert of Wadi Rum in southern Jordan, to meet Ahmad Mara'yeh, a Bedouin man and co-founder of Rum Planet Camp.We are returning to Jordan next June! Join us June 5-14, 2026 on a 10-day trip to this country we love so much. We'll visit the Dead Sea, Petra, Wadi Rum, Amman, and many off-beaten spots in between. And yes, we will also stay with Ahmad at Rum Planet Camp in the desert. Go to https://goingplacesmedia.com/jordan for details on early-bird booking, which ends on Jan 4, 2026.Going Places is an audience-supported platform. You can become a member for as little as $6 a month. Visit us at goingplacesmedia.com to learn more.Thanks to our Founding Members: RISE Travel Institute, a nonprofit with a mission to create a more just and equitable world through travel educationRadostina Boseva, a film wedding photographer with an editorial flair based in San FranciscoWhat you'll learn in this episode:What it's like growing up in the desertWhat is Bedouin culture?What Bedouin hospitality looks likeHow tourism impacted Bedouin communitiesThe disappearance of traditional Bedouin lifestyle What it was like for Ahmad to meet Matt Damon during the actor's "Martian" filmingHow Ahmad thinks about some of the stereotypes about Arabs and MuslimsWomen in Bedouin cultureWhat Ahmad is doing to make his eco-camp truly sustainableRum Panet Camp's efforts to showcase the real Bedouin identityFeatured on the show:Join me in Jordan next JuneFollow Rum Planet Camp on Instagram @rum.planet.campRead my article in AFAR Magazine, Heading to Jordan? Skip the Bubble Tent and Stay Here Instead.Original Air Date: Oct 3, 2023.Going Places is a reader-supported platform. Get membership perks like a monthly group call with Yulia at goingplacesmedia.com!For more BTS of this podcast follow @goingplacesmedia on Instagram and check out our videos on YouTube!Please head over to Apple Podcasts and SUBSCRIBE to the show. If you enjoy this conversation, please share it with others on social and don't forget to tag us @goingplacesmedia!And show us some love, if you have a minute, by rating Going Places or leaving us a review wherever you listen. You'll be helping us to bend the arc of algorithms towards our community — thank you!Going Places with Yulia Denisyuk is a show that sparks a better understanding of people and places near and far by fostering a space for real conversations to occur. Each week, we sit down with travelers, journalists, creators, and people living and working in destinations around the world. Hosted by Yulia...

Meta has begun limiting certain accounts ahead of the official start of the Social Media Ban on 10 December. Platforms that violate the law could face fines of up to 50 million dollars. Israeli media say Yasser Abu Shabab, a Bedouin tribal leader who led an anti-Hamas faction in Gaza, has been killed in Rafah. The European Broadcasting Union has confirmed that Israel will be allowed to take part in next year's Eurovision Song Contest. Recorded 5 December. - 16歳未満のソーシャルメディア利用を制限する法律「ソーシャルメディア・バン」の施行まで1週間を切った今週、ソーシャルメディア大手・メタは、一部アカウントの制限を開始しました。法律が施行される12月10日以降、違反した企業には最大5,000万ドルの罰金が科される可能性があります。ガザで反ハマス勢力を率いていたベドウィン部族の指導者、ヤセル・アブ・シャバブ氏が、ラファで殺害されました。イスラエルのメディアが伝えています。欧州最大級の国別対抗ソングコンテスト「ユーロビジョン」の来年の大会をめぐり、ヨーロッパ放送連合（EBU）がイスラエルの参加を認めました。1週間を振り返るニュースラップです。12月5日収録。

Meta has begun limiting certain accounts ahead of the official start of the Social Media Ban on 10 December. Platforms that violate the law could face fines of up to 50 million dollars. Israeli media say Yasser Abu Shabab, a Bedouin tribal leader who led an anti-Hamas faction in Gaza, has been killed in Rafah. The European Broadcasting Union has confirmed that Israel will be allowed to take part in next year's Eurovision Song Contest. - 16歳未満のソーシャルメディア利用を制限する法律「ソーシャルメディア・バン」の施行まで1週間を切った今週、ソーシャルメディア大手・メタは、一部アカウントの制限を開始しました。法律が施行される12月10日以降、違反した企業には最大5,000万ドルの罰金が科される可能性があります。ガザで反ハマス勢力を率いていたベドウィン部族の指導者、ヤセル・アブ・シャバブ氏が、ラファで殺害されました。イスラエルのメディアが伝えています。欧州最大級の国別対抗ソングコンテスト「ユーロビジョン」の来年の大会をめぐり、ヨーロッパ放送連合（EBU）がイスラエルの参加を認めました。1週間を振り返るニュースラップです。

Episode Description Episode Description         Sign up to receive this Unreached of the Day podcast sent to you:                         https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/12046/AE                         Dear Friend,             The Batak people of North Sumatra didn't have a written language until 1834. Today, they're one of the largest Christian populations in Indonesia, with over 6 million believers. The transformation happened because someone, a German missionary named Ludwig Nommensen, decided their spiritual poverty was unacceptable. That was 190 years ago. Today, 4,473 people groups are still waiting for their Ludwig Nommensen moment. The People Group Adoption Program launches today, and here's how it works: It meets you where you are. You're not being asked to become a missionary in the field (though if God calls you to that, we'll cheer you on). You're being invited to use your current gifts, prayer, advocacy, networking, research to support those who are already called to go.

MUSICINTHEAIR @Villahangar #PodcastShow THIS WEEK presents >> @dairomusic-evn [EPISODE 400-49] TRACKLIST: 01. Dairo feat Starving Yet Full - Twe (Original Mix) 02. Hotlap, Uvita - Lost (Unreleased) 03. Dairo, Alex Twin - Don't Let Go (Original Mix) 04. Bedouin , Marieme - Reason (Original Mix) 05. Geeyo Ibra, Dairo - Through The Fire (Release Date: Jan 9) 06. Dairo, Roman Cleiss - Recto (Unreleased) 07. MANQO, Demayä - To The Rythm (Original Mix) 08. Djeff - Why 3 (Unreleased) 09. Davide Ferrario - Home (Pabmouk Remix) 10. &Friends , Nawo Tunes - ID (Unreleased) 11. Alex Twin, Dairo - Can't Stop (Unreleased) Site -> www.villahangar.com FB -> www.facebook.com/villahangar TT -> www.twitter.com/Villahangar

In this delightful “Belonging Bite” mini-episode, hosts Doreen and Megan dive into the profound connection between food and belonging. From childhood comfort foods to international culinary adventures, they explore how what we eat is never just about taste, but deeply tied to our sense of home, community, and personal story.Key Topics Covered:Personal Food Memories:Megan shares her love for afternoon tea—a ritual that grounds her and transcends borders. Doreen reminisces about the comfort of udon noodles on a rainy day in Kyoto, and how learning to make rice helped ease transitions in different countries.Staples of Belonging:Doreen highlights rice as a cross-cultural staple, while Megan reflects on her mom's grilled cheese sandwiches as a comforting family tradition.Food and Community:The hosts discuss how food anchors family and community gatherings, fostering connection beyond words. Doreen mentions feeling most at home in gatherings featuring a mix of cuisines that bring together diverse cultures.Out of Place or Welcome:Both hosts reflect on moments of feeling out of place or accepted due to the foods they brought to international settings—Megan notes her anxiety as a TCK (Third Culture Kid) at school lunch, and Doreen recalls cultural sensitivity around Ramadan in Saudi Arabia.Cultural Insights:The episode touches on the role of food in cross-cultural respect and community—like the breaking of fast in Ramadan, tea rituals in Bedouin tents, and TCK reunions where sharing tea is an act of collective memory.Invitation to Listeners:Megan encourages listeners to invite someone for tea, coffee, or a meal, highlighting the lost art of home hospitality as a powerful act of welcoming and community-building.Favorite Quote:Doreen closes with a favorite Anthony Bourdain quote:“Food is everything we are. It's an extension of our nationalistic feelings, our ethnic feelings, our personal feelings, our provinces, our tribes and your grandma.”Takeaways:Food is a powerful trigger for memories, emotions, and a sense of belonging.Sharing meals—no matter how small—can foster deep connections across cultures.Hospitality is as simple as a cup of tea and as profound as a feast across divides.Calls to Action:Invite someone for tea or a meal this week—rekindle the lost art of welcoming people into your home.Connect with Nomadic Diaries:Tune in for more "Belonging Bites" as Doreen and Megan continue to explore the everyday moments and meaningful practices that help us feel at home, wherever we may be.Support the showHome is Where Your Story Crosses Borders!We aim to inspire expat solutions, by helping you navigate global living with ease and grace.

Following on from X-Band: The Phantom Podcast Episode 307, Jermayn Parker and Matt Kyme explored the many elements that were vital to making a Phantom story something that hits the mark for phans. One of those elements was Old Jungle Sayings, in this podcast we do a deep dive into Old Jungle Sayings!According to DeepWoods.org, a story cannot be a Phantom story without these sayings appearing more than once in a while. These sayings are in many ways responsible for the mystifying aura seen in Phantom stories.We look at what are these Old Jungle Sayings and go over some of our personal favourites or sayings that stick in our memories. There is 100+ in various subtle changes to choose from!We go all nerdy and look at the origins of them in the Phantom universe, from Old Native Sayings to Old Jungle Sayings. We compare them from a cultural impact and psychological role compared to real-life proverbs and religious mantras.The comparison doesn't stop there as we compare our Phantom's Old Jungle Sayings with oral proverbs preserving legendary heroes like Maui the Maori (New Zealand) demigod, and fear-based lore enforcing social norms, which you can see in the Bedouin, Apache, and Amazonian tribes from around the world.Our final step in our nerdom travels down Old Jungle Sayings is we compare this storytelling element to comic characters like Batman, Tarzan, Judge Dredd, Conan, and the famous meme master Chuck Norris.The Phantom is the only character with all of 1) Formally repeated, structured sayings (like folklore or scripture)2) A generational myth actively maintained by the sayings ("The Phantom never dies") and 3) A tribal culture that embraces and perpetuates the myth as truthBatman and Zorro come close in terms of urban/fear-based mythology but lack the ritualistic repetition and communal cultural buy-in.This may end up being our smartest, most in-depth, and nerdiest Phantom podcast ever! We hope you enjoy it!You can email us at chroniclechamber@gmail.com or chat with us via our social media profiles on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram. We love comments and feedback from the Phantom phans from around the world. Make sure you stay with us, and do not forget to subscribe and leave a review on our podcast on our YouTube channel. Support the show

Christian College Sex Comedy: Part 28 Sandwiches? In 30 parts, By FinalStand. Listen to the podcast at Explicit Novels.             Some masks hide who we are. Others show who we want to be                I could bowl Mercy over with a feather. Rio and I are doing the same social mechanics and come to the same conclusion. There are three reasons to marry a gay guy; 1.      money, 2.      social pressure and 3.      camouflage. Felicity doesn't need the money, so we simply assumed it to be number two. We totally missed the other reason; Felicity is a lesbian. Rio takes it in her slow and easy style. She walks up and puts Felicity in a gentle Mercy, Felicity, Rio sandwich. "I am going to have so much fun breaking you in," Rio whispers affectionately to Felicity. "When you get good at it, I'll let you play with Mercy, she likes to be played with but you have to be firm. Do you like it firm and hard, my most favorite and annoying little Ass-Tramp?" Subtle like a freaking tsunami. Mercy recovers from her shock to nod her head vigorously. "What about Barbie Lynn?" Felicity inquires with velvet hunger. "She's Zane's," Rio informs her. Felicity looks a bit disappointed. "Zane shares her though, so don't expect her to fall in love with you," then leans in and up, "but you'll find out her lips, titties and ass are to die for. Now let's go back to my room and let me show you some things," Rio grins, looks over her shoulder and gives me a wink. Who's room? Barbie Lynn pats my ass then skips after the trio. "We are going to lube up Mercy and try out some of the basics," Rio instructs Felicity. "We'll see what intrigues you then I'll send you home with some toys to practice with and, well, loosen you up a bit. Mercy didn't become fantastic overnight. I had to work on her a lot. See, and the conversation is drowned out by the rest of the students on the floor. No one has batted an eye about Mercy, Rio, and/or Felicity either. Maybe I really am the downfall of the Judeo-Christian tradition after all. Rio is taking responsibility for Mercy. Mercy just stepped out to the World as her true self, a tiny, tiny step anyway. Barbie Lynn is playing Dorm Mother in spades and in a manner way beyond the Handbook's job description. Valarie, Vivian and Iona have gathered together then when Vivian finger-beckons me over. I saunter over to see what's going to go wrong with my life next, and if they have any Tribbles hiding there I'm going to burn the little bastards in the sink. That's not what brings me over. "All the Advocate-candidates have been approached and agreed to serve," Vivian seems amused to inform me. "They want what little ceremony exists to be performed and the Advocates sworn in at 9pm." "Has someone worked on an Oath of Office," I groan. 'To one's self be true', what else can I say? "It seems some of the prelaw students actually had a little contest and they've put something together," Vivian smiles warmly. "It has been downloaded to your phone, it is under Advocate Oath of Office." "Why are you being such a smart ass?" I look her over. "Hasn't my day been bad enough?" "Zane, have you seen your phone log for the past twelve hours?" Vivian asks me. I have been ignoring my phone, in fact. I check it now and I bless those hard working Taiwanese and the huge memory capacity they've put in my global lifeline; otherwise my phone would have melted down hours ago. Fuck, I have phone calls from people I don't even know, who live in, France, Germany, Brazil and Belarus? I rack my mind to remember where Belarus is, blonde-haired, blue eyed Slavic ladies, now I know! The viewing of Star Trek humiliations seem to be universal but at least they don't know my name or face. There is some serious Time Lord Mafia paddling over this one. They've used my damn private phone number. "When do you think you'll talk to Rio," Iona asks cautiously. "I'll take care of that right now, while she's feeling happy and playful," I comfort Iona. "Besides, it could be worse; everyone is looking for a pudgy Sasquatch, not me." The three ladies all stare at me. "Oh fuck," I groan. "Well," Vivian looks away (oh hell), "the footage sort of shows you taking a shower plus your name and phone number." "But your transformation into is a fur-ball is truly precious," Valarie comforts/mocks me. "All my gal-pals out West think you are so cute; Phoenix, one of my Mom's jailbird friends, even used the 'too cute' emoticon and I didn't even think she knew what emoticons were. She sent it to all her buds still in lock-up too." "Great, I'm popular in a women's correctional facility, at least it is in another state," I sigh upward. I pray to God that never becomes relevant. "Hell, I have a housewife in Belarus she wants me as a house pet." "What does she look like?" Valarie seems curious. "How would I know?" I am somewhat offended. Valarie takes my phone but I don't resist too much. She scrolls a bit then hits the number. "Don't call her," I bark. Valarie laughs then hands me my phone back. She shows me the 'entirety' of the girl's message. Nice bikini, or what there is of it and I can't imagine it being too practical that far north. She is divorced, with a one year old son, 22 years old and fresh out of college with a job as a PR specialist for a real estate development firm. She also speaks seven freaking languages, I feel like such an underachiever right now, or male underwear model. Maybe I'll make her a pen pal ~ she's a half a world away. I should be safe. Right now I can't play it safe though; I have to go play with Rio and I know that violates my health insurance under the 'feeding dangerous animals' clause. "Zane," Iona offers to take my phone so I give it to her (why should I distrust her right?). Her delicate little fingers fly across it then she hands it back. "You now have a fifteen minute warning," she is trying to be helpful. "Paige seems to have vanished," I request, "so when you see her, tell her to give us some peace please." The three of the saner women I know give me a nod. I round the final screen and there is my sleeping platform. Barbie Lynn and Felicity are examining a stunning large collection of sexual aids (that my credit card must have paid for), which Rio is sedately explaining to them, sort of what you would expect from a Mary Kay or Avon saleswomen. Mercy is bent over the bed, pushing up her ass by standing on her toes, skirt and panties gone and surreptitiously undoing her blouse buttons when she thinks Rio isn't looking. Mercy even flashes a precious grin my way when she sees me. It is the 'Weeee! I'm about to get fucked' look. While amiably chatting away, Rio puts her hand over one of Felicity's hands and leads it over to Mercy's flank. Felicity puts up a token resistance. "Do that again and it will cost you," Rio purrs. Felicity stares at Rio's feral nature, seeing her truly for the first time then obeys. "Good girl," Rio coos in Felicity's ear. That reminds me what I've forgotten to do today, the air filters. I look around the various wardrobes for some sort of precision tool like a baseball bat, crowbar, sledgehammer, fire axe or chainsaw, I have a cricket bat? What the hell am I doing with a cricket bat? Isn't that the National sport of India; is it even played on this continent? It may be one of a kind; I'll spare it. "Zane!" Rio snaps. Apparently she's been calling my name for a second or two. "Yeah Bro, what do you need?" I answer. I'm not being attacked by someone so she must need something from me. "Felicity is self-conscious about being naked in front of us girls," Rio grins. "Could you pick out a swimsuit for her that is conservative and demur?" In Rio-speak that means three small circle Band-Aids and some dental floss. "What color would you like Felicity?" I ask. She says white; I groan because when you sweat/drip on white it becomes translucent. Maybe she's teasing me. I pick out a Rio-approved set (she has a whole drawer labeled 'Slut Wear' after all), hides it from her until I walk around and hand the 'suit' to Rio. Top lesson: 1.      Rio is in charge. Rio approved approves the look suit then hands it to Felicity. "You expect me to wear this?" Felicity gasps. "That's going to cost you Sweet-cheeks," Rio grins wickedly. "I can't wear this," Felicity stammers. Rio puts a finger to her lips to stop Felicity from saying anything else. "I apologize, Ms. Tolliver," Rio nods, "I think you are in the wrong place. Thank you for the books; good-bye now." Felicity is looking back and forth between Rio, Barbie Lynn, Mercy and me. Barbie Lynn gives Felicity a friendly shrug; I mirror that gesture while Rio takes up a medium lavender dildo, a bottle of lube and pours an expertly delivered thin stream on the tool and Mercy's asshole as if they are one. She's pointedly ignoring Felicity. Felicity is a 'Prom Queen' type and now some jumped-up freshman has dismissed her like she is nothing; I doubt that has ever happened before. On the other hand, Rio is brazenly open with her sexuality and sexual desires; a freedom Felicity has always felt denied her. Felicity almost makes a crucial mistake but I catch her starting to form the words 'I'm sorry' to me but I redirect her with a tilt of my head. "I apologize," Felicity whispers. "Zane, could you take over for me please," Rio says. I step around to her far side and start working my dildo slowly into Mercy's rectum. She wiggles her ass playfully to the intrusion. Rio steps up to Felicity, rises up on her tiptoes and grips Felicity's head firmly but gently. Rio tries to kiss Felicity but I can tell the taller blonde's jaws clench and her body stiffens. "One last chance," Rio insists. She lets the implications sink in then kisses her again. It is a close thing but Felicity finally breaks down and let's Rio's tongue master her tongue, mouth and lips. Felicity moan eradicates a decade of repression and denial and it is with some reluctance that the taller blonde lets the short, darker Rio settle down. Rio presses a finger to Felicity's lips again. "This is going to be the last time I'm nice to you for some time," Rio begins. She stops Felicity from speaking once more. "Zane and I are closer than family, he's number 1 in my book; there is no other. I will call you whatever I want to call you and you will not talk back. My safe words are 'That fucking hurts' or clapping your ankles together if you can't speak." "Mercy is mine; hurt her and I will bury you, my hand to God. Outside of that, I will use you like I want to. I will show you things you've only read about, make you dress in clothes that terrify you, and press you as hard as I can because I care about you Felicity. Are you a virgin?" Rio inquires. "Yes," Felicity moans somewhat frightened. "Your vaginal virginity is yours, your oral and anal virginity are mine," she explains. "When I say come over, don't make excuses, bring your ass to wherever I am. I am going to be hard on you and give you to my friends to play with because it amuses me, clear? Are you okay with this; if you aren't, this is your last chance to back out because I will hunt your ass down after tonight." "I can, I'm okay with this," Felicity says with less trepidation. "Okay Bitch," Rio growls, "Take off your shoes, panties and skirt; pick out the paddle you think you deserve to be spanked with and bed over the bed. That shirt better not be in the way. Oh, you are leaving your bra with me tonight, go home without it. You only wear panties if you have my permission as well." "Yes, Felicity falters. "Call me Rio," she clarifies. "I'm not afraid of who the fuck I am. You've looked down at people like me all your life and now you are going to be as degraded as what you wanted me to go through. Payback is a bitch." "Yes Rio," Felicity confirms softly. "Well, get to it," Rio snaps and swats Felicity's ass. "I want to waste some time on my beautiful, wonderful, annoying slut here," she moved to Mercy, "and her tricky little self has been taking off her clothes without my permission." The slap Rio plants leaves a red handprint on Mercy who exhales contentedly at Rio's attention. "Oh, you've been a naughty little fuck-slut, and you are wetter than the damn river," Rio whispers in Mercy's ear as one hand pumps the vibrator in her ass and the other strokes her wet cunt. Yeah Rio, that's putting the fear of God in Mercy, right. Felicity takes the most-wicked looking paddle available and I've never even seen Rio consider using. "Bro, we have a meeting at 9pm so we need to break it up in about an hour," I give the bad news. "Zane, damn, take over Mercy once more; I trust you with her but I want tears and if you could get her to bite up a ball gag, I'd appreciate it," Rio asks. Mercy has been placated and her position with Rio affirmed. She's a happy little Bottom once more because Rio finds her annoying, which means 'love' when translated into sane people-speak. "Barbie Lynn, warm her up for me," Rio requests of the blonde bombshell as she falls on Felicity's behind's like a Bedouin dying of thirst. I can see Felicity about to turn and plead for Barbie Lynn's attention because she mistakenly believes BLT will be hesitant. Boy, she's in for a surprise. Barbie Lynn's thumbs push the base of Felicity's softly resistant ass up and apart. Barbie Lynn is lapping like a dog at Felicity's cunny alternating flicks of the tongue along the labia and short, rapid intrusions. "What kind of sick masochist are you?" Rio snarls, waving Felicity's chosen paddle before her eyes. "I use this to crush the skulls of rogue water buffaloes; where was I supposed to hit you; on the asses of your ancestors cause that was where you were headed? What the hell was this even doing in my collection anyway?" "Also, what are you doing with your bra still on? I'm going to want those bad boys milked before you escape tonight," Rio grumbled. "You didn't, Felicity starts to protest even as Barbie Lynn twirls her toward orgasm. "Shut up!" Rio hisses. "Barbie Lynn, teach her a lesson." Barbie Lynn frees up one hand long enough to give her one 'moderate' spank. "Where is Paige; I need her nimble, spider-like finger of Evil." I can't seem to spot her so Paige is forced to clear her throat, she has carefully hidden herself behind my, pillow; she's hiding by the simple expedients of being in semi-darkness and being very still. It is so eerie I almost love her, love her. "Jesus H. Christ," Rio jumps. "I'd put bells on you but I'd probably end up with them in my cunt, now that actually, focus Rio!" she chastises herself. "Paige, help me strip my latest toy down and give her nipples a stress test," Rio requests. "Deal, but you need to do me one favor," Paige starts crawling over toward Felicity. "Sure, now get snappy," Rio urges her on as starts to pull Felicity's shirt over the girl's head. "Forgive me for forcing Iona to help me and the Time Lord Mafia," Paige cashes in her favor immediately. It is all the more self-sacrificial in that I suspect Cordelia kept Paige out of the whole plot. "Bitch," Rio seethes at Paige, "if you messed up Iona I'll still find a way to make you pay, I promise you." "You granted me a favor," Paige reminds Rio cautiously. "Zane, do something," Rio pleads. "I've already sworn not to make the responsible parties pay, beyond what Cordelia has already granted me," I grin. "I get Paige's ass whenever I want, how often I want, until the end of October," I add. Paige lowers her head and trembles with fear and anticipation; the 'threat' of anal sex is something Paige and I are working through plus, since Paige fears it, Rio will love the fantasy vision of Paige squirming on my 'meaty pole', see Barbie Lynn's thesaurus. Rio can't get away from Paige fast enough, falling into the narcotic pleasures of Mercy's treasures. Rio is often misunderstood; pain is a daily part of her life brought about by her blatantly aggressive lifestyle and the wraiths of her past. Mercy isn't in any danger; she could hardly be safer at the moment, figuratively speaking. Mercy's ass and cunt are getting a workout to the point I'm afraid that Rio is going to shove that dildo all the way into Mercy's colon and Rio's tongue might end Mercy's 'pesky' virginity by tongue-muscle action alone. Paige shoots me a sad smile before she gets on her back and starts sliding under Felicity. When they are face to face, but running in different directions, Paige and Felicity exchange some wistful kisses. "You are beautiful," Felicity moans down at the pale pink lips and snowy skin of someone who is working both overtime at being my lover and more importantly, a friend to my group of friends. "I know," Paige responds confidently before wiggling her way further under Felicity. Soon she has the first taste most likely anyone has had over of her breasts and nipples. I can tell when Paige draws in the first full gulp of tit because Felicity goes off like a bronco mare with a cougar cub on her back. She is making deep, guttural moans but at least she's not screaming her head off. "Rio, do you want Felicity to taste my tits?" Paige asks. Rio is being petulant. "Rio, if you want I'll never talk to Paige or Iona again because they are both Time Lord Mafia and they all had a part to play in this," I declare. "I know of only one who didn't, and if she's my sole friend with them after this, so be it, but you have to let me fight my own fights alone from time to time and let me decide what counts as a victory." "Fuck the bitches," Rio pops up, much to Mercy's astonishment, "One is more than enough." "Fine, Iona is out Rio. The only one who didn't have a part in this morning was Paige," I tell Rio. "I'll go tell her that you two are done, but I'll have you know she was operating under my orders, sort of. I told her not to go against Cordelia and she did as I asked." Rio seems truly conflicted for the longest time then she drapes herself over Mercy's body. "Honey-hole reach back, take over and keep yourself going or I'll make you feel up each Karate Club member during practice Monday," Rio purrs to her lover. Mercy hastily obeys because I think something about the way the situation playing out intrigues her. Rio shuffles down to Barbie Lynn, Felicity's posterior and Paige's head. "You fucking lied to me you freaky douche," Rio declares venomously at the albino Paige. Paige wisely keeps silent, there is nothing positive she can say. SheRio plants four resounding smacks on Felicity's exposed bottom. Felicity squeals, distracting Rio momentarily. "You'll pay for that, you skank," Rio hisses at Felicity. "Paige, how fucking dare you disappoint me," she growls. "How dare you act above my expectations; you are almost a human being," Rio finishes - as if the term 'human being' is as horrid a term as ATF agent or fashionista. Rio stands up and views her domain. Mercy is going all out though she clearly misses her Top and Felicity is panting herself toward another, more prolonged climax. "Barbie-licious, would you take care of my prize for me; you know what she likes," Rio requests with a hint of her normal madness. "Paige, give her some nipple-age and I'm going to break in Felici-hump's whore-hole." For the English-speaking public that means (I think) that Paige is to open her own shirt, unfasten her front-access bra and lead Felicity's lips to those translucent, succulent breasts I find so tasty. Felicity is clearly in a sexual buzz; otherwise she might spend precious minutes trying to figure out that Rio just declared her intention to introduce Felicity to anal sex of the strap-on variety. "Hey, pansy-boy," Rio mocks me and my reclining majesty, "get over here and give me some of that magic tongue and finger work that will turn her back into a straight." That's just mean. "Please don't make me like men," Felicity stammers. Her eyes are glassy and feverish. Rio smacks both buttocks this time and Felicity squeals louder. "You don't get to talk, you listen," Rio commands. "You are a perfect lover, a lesbian," Rio explains from some teasing twisted core. "We simply sleep with men to control them, but I don't want you sleep with Lance without my permission, is that understood?" Felicity keeps her words within her lips as well as going back to use another one of Paige's nipples for further succor. This is just bizarre, the bi-sexual is demanding/empowering the lesbian to not sleep with her gay fianc , I couldn't write stuff this weird and then avoid rehab. "In fact, Zane has an in with your future Mother-in-law and she'll tell him if she even suspects her baby boy is having sex with a woman," Rio double-pumps her eyebrows at me. Rio doesn't 'know' that I'm having sex with Rochelle Wellington; Felicity's soon to be MIL. We do both know Lance, the fianc , likes playing with other men's cocks. We have the video file to prove it too. "You step out on me and I'll sell you to that sorority next door to Zane's house for a weekend," Rio threatens. Felicity isn't Mercy, she's repressed while Mercy is perverse (by outside standards). Full exposure to the town at large frightens Felicity because she doesn't want deal with the social consequences of being labeled homosexual. Mercy is actually afraid of her sexual proclivities themselves as well as the real physical danger of exposure. Once Felicity finds her own identity her relationship will change, in essence she'll never replace Mercy in Rio's heart. There is never going to be that vulnerability and utter acceptance that those two have. Felicity is going to be fun and in time I think Hudson Lane may be a better match as a companion. Hudson and Felicity are adults where Rio fights adulthood with every breath. Rio's choice in strap-ons is odd to say the least; the only time Rio had shown it to Mercy, Mercy had been afraid, afraid that Rio would waste their time on something so, unimpressive. Until I noticed Mercy's distress that morning I didn't think Rio had something so, (training wheels?) in her arsenal; this was what Rio picked to break Felicity in. No one knows my buddy like I do. Rio is still working Felicity's bunghole over with a sole finger when she leans over the tall slender blonde's back. Rio uses one hand to cord that long hair until it is one thick mass, and then she pulls it back like a corded rein. It isn't until the tip of the dildo nestles into the cusp of Felicity's sphincter that Felicity figures out what's about to happen. "No Rio, please, I don't want this," Felicity panics. "Sssh," Rio coos, "it is going in and I'm going to teach you how." "Rio, I don't," Felicity trembles. "Why?" Rio whispers her question. 'Why is Felicity afraid of this violation' is what Rio is aiming for. They stay there locked and silent. After a minute, Rio picks up her actions. "When I begin to thrust forward, I want you to use your inner muscles to push back," Rio says tenderly. Rio goes forward and Felicity tenses so she stops. "Relax, it won't hurt, only feel funny," Rio assures her. Not always true but, This time things culminate with Felicity gives a sharp gasp followed by a whispered sigh. "Okay," Rio murmurs to her prey, "I am tired of doing all the work. You need to push back now," she continues. "Come back against me you cunt-loving whore." Felicity bucks slightly and shakes her head. "No, no," she pleads at barely above a whisper herself. "It's okay," Rio runs a hand along Felicity's spine. "You can come back later if you like. Your ass is mine but I'll wait for you to give it to me but, no cunt for you to taste or lips upon your cunt until then Felicity. I'll be taking care of Barbie Lynn for you". Rio winks at me, "Or more likely you are leaving her for Zane, man that he is; you know she'll get addicted to that cock eventually." Bang! Felicity looks heart-shot. Felicity starts working Rio's artificial cock down her asshole. Rio looks at me and gives the best 'Home Alone!' face I've ever seen. She's floored that Felicity has been sucked into our mad circus. She then puts both hands on Felicity's hips. "Slow down Felicity, and welcome to the club," Rio grins down at her. Felicity rests for about thirty seconds then Rio spanks each flank. "Giddy-up now; you still have four inches to go." "I thought I could stop," Felicity whined. "You said, "You stopped; I let you stop," Rio sneered, "Now I'm telling you to back your sweet ass up." I'm going to give Rio a Janus mask for Christmas. I'd get her medication for her insanity but I know she'd eventually slip it into my food no matter what. "Come on now Felicity-Sugah," Barbie Lynn joins it. "You always had such a gentle hand training me in Karate. It'd be a crying shame if no other girls got to feel the way you made me feel. You have always been so strong, be strong now." Felicity rotates her head somewhat foal-like and stretches the hair Rio is using as a rein before she pushes back again. This time when Felicity stops Rio slaps her ass lightly. My buddy also grins madly at me and mouths 'I am so going to Hell over this' then giggles. I mouth back 'Right beside you'. Felicity is finally all the way back and resting when Mercy begins to shudder violently. "Holygoddamnfuckingpieceofshit!!!!" Mercy howls into the sheets. Barbie Lynn hammers her bunghole and mangles her clit so much that she repeats the phrase three times in rapid succession and all the time she looks as compassionate as a mother changing a newborn. Felicity takes that inspiration and runs with it. Rio is pulling back with the strap-on when Felicity pushes back hard. Rio pushes her forward and rotates her hips for more of a sensation before snatching up a slender blue paddle that seems more flexible than rigid. She quickly makes good use of it, stinging Felicity's rump and making the ride home for her interesting. Paige starts flicking Felicity's clit but that is more than Felicity can take. Thankfully she releases Paige's right tit before she clamps her teeth and bows her back up and down multiple times as orgasm hits her. Rio has to grip Felicity's hips tightly to not be bucked off and she's loving it. Felicity collapses on Paige but I quickly roll Felicity on her back, Rio's strap-on slides out painlessly, so I can pull Paige to me. Paige and I exchange a heated kiss while Rio unfastens the dildo, lets it fall to the floor. Rio crawls on the bed, hooks a finger into Mercy's collar and forces the exhausted beauty to follow her farther up the bed. Rio reclines against the headboard with Mercy resting her head on her Mistresses stomach, hair cascading over Rio's stomach, crotch, and thigh as well as her own face. Rio is running her hands through her lover's hair with an affection few at the school would believe. Barbie Lynn decides to take her own approach with Felicity. She mentioned experimenting with girls before meeting me on the day I first moved into this dorm, downstairs and a long, long time ago it seems. With the fear that permeated this place, it was probably furtive touches at night in bed with your roommate or a quick grope in the showers. Felicity barely has the time to register Barbie's presence before Barbie Lynn has Felicity's legs up, bent at the knees and cunt full exposed. Barbie doesn't dive in, instead crawling onto Felicity's body until they are face to face. Felicity gets this surprised, I can't believe this is finally coming true' face, the Barbie Lynn's lips are pressing hers. "Hey Honey-Trap," Rio snaps playfully, "what do you think you are doing with my Thing Two?" (Note: Never combine Rio and Doctor Seuss on You Tube; legions of little minds will be forever corrupted) "Give it a rest Rio," Barbie Lynn looks up and grins at my Bud, "Felicity gets a time-out and she gets to have it with me, are we clear?" This is not a fight I'm stepping into and Rio, Mercy and Barbie Lynn know it. Barbie Lynn doesn't ask for much from Rio and is pretty tolerant of her so now that Barbie Lynn is making a stand and, "This is really hard on her," Rio says affectionately. "Take your time." I leave Barbie Lynn and Felicity to play and carry Paige around to the far side of Rio. Paige is coiled around my body so I doubt she could be happier outside of 'bouncy, bouncy'. "What's going on Babe," I whisper to Rio. "What's your game?" "Don't tell anyone because they won't believe you but I've been reading," she tilts her forehead against mine. "I've been reading the diary of an actual dominatrix by the firelight of me burning 'Fifty Shades of Someone Stupid'." "You are right," I snicker, "no one would ever believe you actually read a book." She punches me then Mercy shoots me a weak blow to the ribs. "Hey you," Rio tapped Mercy's nose, "who said you could get in a fight? I think someone is getting hog-tied and ice cubes rubbed up and down their spine." Mercy shivers happily. "Do you want to do anything like that with me," Paige purrs. "I want to sneak into your parent's room and fuck you hard on their bed in every position we can think of," I state calmly, as if I've given it great thought. Paige's dampness streams down onto my left hip and thigh as she shivers in delight. It is all about knowing your partner. This forbidden act knocks her right out of the ballpark. "Are we, you and I, any closer?" Paige murmurs. "You know who has my heart, Paige, but we are closer, if that matters," I tell her. "When did that happen?" Paige smiles up at me. "About fifteen minutes ago," I kiss the tip of her nose. "So I had to lie to a total nut-job to save another friend of yours and risk a beating to take us a step forward, and it wasn't the black leather micro-mini," Paige moans as finds the perfect spots on my chest and lap to settle into. It is a precious few minutes we share, with Rio alternating tender caresses with pinches to the nipples and slaps to the breasts, buttocks and thighs. Mercy makes mewling little sighs in response to both sets of gestures. Felicity has finally rolled Barbie Lynn over and engaging in every less-than-vanilla sexual act she thinks she's missed over the three years she's known, showered with, and competed with my Georgia Honey-box. By the play of Barbie's right hand, the thick, sloppy sound that's emanating from between Felicity's thighs and Felicity's shortness of breath, Barbie Lynn is driving her former classmate made with lust. "Bro, can I turn Mercy into an ice cream dispenser? Sort of 'squeeze these wonderful titties' then scoop out some Neapolitan from her cunt," Rio snickers my way. She loves yanking my chain, and Mercy's, from time to time. "No! That has to be cold as hell and you may not make Mercy poop or pee dairy products," I command, "Rio-saurus Rex!" "Oh, that's gross," Rio dares to look offended. "I would never put ice cream up my favorite Lust-receptacle's butthole. That is for the ice cream cones." "Fine, you may not stuff Mercy like an clair," I clarify. "I'm putting my foot down and if Paige and I have to do full body cavity searches to make sure you behave, so be it." Felicity erupts through her final orgasm of the night, her body twisting and stretching as sweat drips off her body. Barbie Lynn keeps subtle control of Felicity's body which is both touching and frightening, she's getting sexually wound up and she's going to corral my cock and drive it up her ass, my approval being optional. The dirty, sexy look she shoots me is as good a piece of proof as I need. "I can't have you two touching my bitch without supervision," Rio states angrily, yeah right. "I'll have to check out all her opening once you two get done, a triple check." Mercy looks over toward Paige and me. Her eyes are open wide with lust and anticipation. "I suppose we could simply trust Mercy and take her word for it," I tease. "No," Rio goes off, "I can tell you right now; she's one sneaky little slut." "I don't trust her," Paige nods. "The pretty ones always need to be kept in line, harshly." Mercy merely shakes her head vigorously in affirmation of her devious and untrustworthy nature. "Where are you people from?" Felicity pants through her fatigued smile. "The People's Republic of None of Your Damn Business," Rio slaps Mercy's thigh. "We keep Rio in a steel box," Barbie Lynn pets Felicity's left nipple. "The rest of us are regular students. Okay, Zane's a tad irregular, but he means well." My phone buzzes from the far side of the bed. "Time to wrap it up team," I give out the bad news. "Felicity, you can sweep step out with Barbie Lynn to the shower, different showers because giving the freshman student body an alternative lifestyle exhibition is not an option for tonight. The rest of us will give it a few minutes and go out and pretend the world is a normal place." "Felicity, I want your bra and panties up here on my pillow," Rio demands. "I'm going to use them to bind up Mercy tonight. She's been, umm, mediocre so I'm gagging her with that boring underwear and hooking her hands over her head with that sad, old bra of yours." "I thought you only wanted my bra," Felicity questions? "Spank her for me BLT," Rio growls. Barbie Lynn gave gives three sharp, alternating smacks on each ass cheek. Felicity bites her lower lip and whimpers. "No back talking now F; I said no bra tonight, but also no panties ever without my approval." Felicity nods. Barbie Lynn takes Felicity by the hand, over to the towel closet then leads her somewhat reluctantly out into the main floor. "Rio, did I do you a good turn," Paige asks. Rio thinks that over for a minute, making small circles in Mercy's hair. "Yes, yes you did, you albino deviant," Rio allows. "Can I have Mercy for my use for one night sometime soon?" Paige requests. "That's not how it works," Rio scolds Paige after a few seconds. "She's mine to use, no one else's. I can have someone use her for my pleasure but she's a damn human being, not a bean-bag chair. I will give you this though, because you can be so incredibly stupid about people, I'll let Mercy know that it would make me happy to see her with you; how is that?" Mercy is resting on her head on Rio's lap, so she clearly hears what's going on. Rio is really the best friend in the world, and one of the best people I've ever known. I can live with the crazy. Homecoming. So, it was Friday, Homecoming Day at FFU, and several dozen of us were not doing what we were supposed to do but I wanted this headache taken care of before the rest of the day's festivities. All the Advocates were gathered as was Ms. Goodswell, as a Student Advisor. Other people were gathered to observe the spectacle and guessing which way I would jump. This first major crisis of my role as Mediator since the creation of the Janissaries wouldn't have been complete without Iona, my trusty sidekick, and Rio, my chronic pain in the ass & truest friend. In fact, Rio was the reason for this meeting. She had been given the writing assignment of 'place the writings of a juvenile story into an adult setting'. The train wreck wasn't hard to foretell. Rio had chosen four works of the late, lamented Doctor Seuss (if he wasn't dead he would be after reading halfway through Rio's creation). Rio had attacked the project with a gusto that made Ms. Tucker, her English instructor, hopeful that Rio was finally fitting in (read: conforming). Rio turned in the pornographic Tales of a Cat with a Really Big Hat on Tuesday. Ms. Tucker had flunked the effort and dragged Rio down to Doctor Victoria Scarlett's office but that senior educator had volleyed this time bomb into my lap. I promptly told them to pick an Advocate and get back to me after dinner. Rio Talon/Christina Buchanan's argument had been that the vagueness of the instructions allowed for a liberal interpretations of the assignment. Athena Varna (representing the rest of Ms. Tucker's class)/Joy Jefferson had argued that the standard was what 'any reasonable individual going to a Christian school would find acceptable' as their defense, which meant that it wasn't acceptable in their opinion. Two days of mediation went nowhere and I wasn't going to let this matter fester through the weekend. I had called all the concerned parties to join me after breakfast and received Doctor Scarlett's blessing for missing Assembly where many of the students and their families were gathered in our daily religious/social function. "Okay, I've given the matter serious thought and I saw merit to both arguments but I found Ms. Jefferson's argument to be the more compelling," I led off. "We live in a society; each person should be free and act with freedom but that cuts both ways, we have to give our society some support to retain our harmony. This is my judgment." "I would hope that since Rio did make an exceptional effort in her creative writing work that Ms. Tucker would consider allowing Rio one additional week to make up the assignment since this is one-quarter of her grade and her effort, while misdirected, was acknowledged as a vigorous attempt. That is my suggestion anyway," I said hopefully since I wasn't sure if I could instruct a teacher in any manner, much less order a do-over for Rio. It took a few seconds for my words to sink in. This was hardly re-writing the Charter of the Commonwealth of Virginia but it did mean I'd ruled against my best friend and the woman I wanted to marry and several girls looked at me in some disbelief that I hadn't gone that way. "Thank you Mediator," Joy was the first to offer me her hand, and she was still technically the enemy, being in the Traditionalist faction here at school. "Your argument carried the day, Joy. I'm pretty sure there was no favoritism involved," I smiled. "I will get you next time," Christina came up and shook Joy's hand. She turned and clasped my hand after that. "You were wiser than I thought you'd be," Christina winked to me. A few people came by and went through the same routine until Rio approached last of all. She hit me in the shoulder causing multiple heads to swivel our way. "You threw me under the bus Bitch," she laughed. "Don't look so surprised," I rubbed my shoulder, "you built the bus I rolled over you with, ya Deviant." Iona gave me a shy wave right before she slipped out to go meet her parents and most of the girls did likewise. Finally it was Ms. Goodswell, Christina, Faith, Rio and myself. "Faith and I will polish off the minutes of your final decision Zane," Christina said before turning her imperious head away and leading Faith out to do what seniors do. "So, are you two going to be hiding out all day?" Virginia Goodswell looked Rio and my way. "I would but two dozen over-eager and overly-endowed students have asked Zane to be available to meet their ancestors or some other such cheesy crap," Rio ranted. "Besides, I'm sure there is some law or ordinance that causes the rest of you to never leave me alone." "Yes Ms. Talon," Ms. Goodswell said with some gravity, "That is the Self-preservation Act of 1908. You are listed under 'Elements with Corrosive properties." "Woot!" Rio hollered, "I'm a corrosive influence!" "Thanks Virginia," I addressed my teacher and Spiritual Advisor, "like she needed more ammo." Goodswell laughed and headed out toward the main campus while Rio and I headed for our dorm. "I think I'm going to become a superhero," Rio teased me. "My X-ray vision will vaporize the panties off of unsuspecting stuck-up babes." "Wasn't there a time when heroes were heroes and villains were villains; none of this gray crap?" I half-grinned. "Zane," Rio sounded exasperated and but motherly aka Ma Barker, "you keep saving girls and they keep kicking you in the teeth." "I look at it as opportunity to get back up again," I smiled. "That's called masochism, look it up," Rio sneered. "Let's go to my room," I said, rather redundantly, as we'd reached the elevator door and I'd hit the button. Rio became oddly close to me as we got on board and even let me wrap an arm around her. For me, being parentless today required I convince Aunt Jill that parking would be a bitch and I'd see her Saturday night, we had our first Marksmanship outing tomorrow morning in Kentucky, so I'd would be back to have dinner with my sole family member. Rio's parents hadn't asked Rio if she wanted them to come. They hadn't made any contact at all, denying Rio the ability to scream at her parents and tell them to 'fuck off'. Adding to the misery, Mercy's parents were here and everyone in our close circle had convinced Rio that being close to Mercy would be disastrous, in the belief that Rio had poor impulse control, imagine that. When the end of Assembly sounded and the parents began exiting the building to join up with their kids, we proceeded to my Solarium level of the dorm. The parents would meet their girl's friends, teachers, & the key members of their various clubs. We opened my 'vault' door and Rio led me upstairs then gave a start. I slipped around her to see what the problem was, Cordelia Dresden. To her credit, Cordelia and her Time Lord Mafia had either been behaving or doing things in such a sneaky manner as to avoid my notice. Besides the three of us, only three freshmen girls occupied the rest of the floor, leaving us effectively alone. "Hi Rio!" Cordelia led off, "Zane, I only want you to know you have our full support," was her cryptic statement that I was still digesting when Rio hurled herself at the slender brunette. Cordelia cried out as Rio toppled them both to the floor. Rio rose up on her knees and slapped Cordelia across the face. "Get her off me," Cordelia screamed as she raised her hands to defend herself. "What's the fucking secret you're hiding?" Rio growled. "Yank Rio off me right now. Zane," Cordelia snapped as she took a second slap to the cheek. "You know what I can do." "Cordy, Rio wants to live free or die trying; so you might want to consider your next words carefully," I shrugged. "She prefers to exist free of fear. Rio, I'm going to the shake dispenser; do you want something?" "A strawberry shake sounds good," Rio smiled as she began pinning Cordelia's wrists down. Once she finished that maneuver, Rio glared triumphantly down at Cordelia. "Great," Cordelia met that glare with one of her own, "what's your next brilliant plan; a little sexual assault to go with your brazen attack?" "Nope, I'm going to drool spit on your face and ears Cordelia-baby," Rio answered then began swirling her tongue in her mouth to gather up her first glob of spit. "Zane," Cordelia pleaded. "Rio, let her up," I requested (Rio knew my vocal tones). "She's agreed to help you with your Mercy problem." Cordelia had done no such thing but Rio would need help dealing with her lover's parents and Cordelia could be a powerful ally. Cordelia could lie her way out of things, except she would be lying to me and our trust was a fragile thing. If it was just Rio, Cordy would lie in a heartbeat but I believed I was somewhat special to her. Cordy said nothing and Rio got off of her. It wasn't Rio's style to offer Cordelia a hand up even though she knocked her down. Rio joined me making shakes and grinned evilly. "Cordelia, do you want a shake," I called over to her. "Peach," she replied. Somewhat reluctantly she walked over to us. Cordelia, like Rio and me, had no parents coming. "So, are you going to tell Zane what your secret is or do we go for the best two out of three falls?" Rio sneered. "Let it be Rio," I nudged her. "It isn't something bad. If it was bad, she would have coughed it up already." "I don't know what you see in this wacky Whore," Rio asked me, with Cordelia standing beside us. "She's Ra's al Ghul to my Bruce Wayne," I explained. "How can I step beyond the streets of my own personal Gotham without her?" "Wait, does that mean I'm Harlequin?" Rio mused. "No, you are the Joker, Rio," Cordelia huffed, "and yes, that makes Mercy Harlequin." "Cordy, there are times I wish you weren't so evil and manipulative," Rio observed. "Titles such as Evil, like genius, are the hobgoblin of small minds," Cordelia countered. "Zane sees that, which is why I tolerate the rest of you." "You just want to play jockey to his thoroughbred," Rio snorted. "Never said I didn't," Cordelia bantered. Rio stole a look toward the door so I leaned into Cordelia. "Thank you," I whispered. Cordy nodded. "Pist," Rio hissed. "Iona is here with a slightly larger version of herself and two guys who look vaguely related to her as well." I looked over and there was Iona pointing what had to be her mother my way. She didn't look furious but she wasn't beaming sunshine and happiness at me either. "Scatter," Rio whispered. "Pissed off Momma on the way," before dashing off behind the showers. "I'm gone," Cordelia gasped playfully, took her peach shake and slunk away. Iona "Mr. Braxton?" this conservatively dressed woman with a slight build and shoulder length black hair addressed me. I'd seen a few pictures of her on Iona's Facebook page. "Mrs. Beckett, I am Glenn Zane Braxton, but please call me Zane. Your daughter is one of my closest friends." She seemed to mull that over, whether to be stiff or to give me a chance. "Zane, is there a place we can talk in private?" she inquired. "Absolutely," I nodded; then led her to the far corner and sat down on a sofa with her so that we could both look out over the changing leaves on campus. "Mr. Brax, Zane, what are your intentions with my daughter?" she came right out with it. "She was my second friend here and constantly supportive of my often precarious situation and she's never asked for anything in return," I stated. "I'd paint her house if she asked me," I continued, "or drive across country to help her move. She's that great a friend." I didn't brag about killing or even hurting someone for her, though I would, because that wasn't the kind of extreme friendship her Mom was looking for. "Very well, Zane; but I am worried about you and Iona in another way," she sidestepped. "You are an attractive young man and there are rumors that you have several girlfriends on campus." "I think I can answer the real question with three statements of my own; the only person I have ever called girlfriend is Heaven Vickers, a senior here. "I love Heaven's best friend, Christina Buchanan, and they are both aware of our relationship. Second, your daughter is the second-smartest, most level-headed, and most forward thinking young woman I have ever met; you have done a wonderful job raising her," I related. "Lastly, I have offered to have sex with your daughter twice and she's said 'no'." "You did?" she studied me intently. "And she was naked in bed with me both times. She's seen me have sex, too, but she's decided that when she's ready, she'll ask me and I'll say 'yes' because I'm positive that she will pick the moment when it is right for her and no one else." "Wha, what?" Mrs. Beckett's eyes grew wide. "Naked in bed with you? And nothing happened?" "Yes; but I felt safe because I trust her," I said calmly. "You have to admit she is diligent and organized and she's not going to simply jump feet first into anything." "I have to admit I was afraid you were taking advantage of my daughter's kind nature; but you seem oddly frank about everything you two have done. I admit I expected you to be, more deceptive and evasive," she mused. "Do you have sex with any of the girls on campus?" "Tons; though thankfully, things eased off with midterms approaching," I smiled. "Is that so," she said in a clearly questioning tone. "I want you to understand that Iona thinks the world of you. She writes home every day, and you often figure in her experiences, though I knew she was editing some things, like why she appears to be friends with Ms. Talon." "When we started out, Rio and I were doomed to be expelled but Iona joined with us and together we survived some really rough times." "I recall getting several letters from the Chancellor from that time. Was Iona in any danger?" she asked. "Yes, she got a pair of bloody knees but please believe a whole lot of us were looking out for her," I responded. "Trust me, Ion has a fair number of friends who appreciate her numerous qualities." "Mom," Ion called out as she came over. "I hope Zane hasn't been scaring you." "Iona, it is only that you didn't have many friends in High School," her mother smiled at her daughter. "Mom, I had no friends in high school, but Zane gave me the courage and opportunity to come out of my shell," Iona interrupted. "Zane says you two have been sleeping in his bed, naked," Iona's mother met her daughter with an even gaze. "Yes," Iona blushed furiously, "but I bet he's also informed you that we haven't had sex," she leaned into her mother, "and there he lied." Mrs. Beckett stared at me, a bit peeved. "Mom, that is only because what Zane considers sex and what you would consider sex are two slightly different things. Suffice it to say, I am still a virgin as far as the marriage bed is concerned," Iona assured her parent. "And I have Zane well in hand, because I have control of his phone." "I keep telling you that smarts count for more to in life than a model's good looks," Iona's mother reminded her daughter. "I'm glad Iona has both," I chimed in. Both women looked my way then grinned. "He is such a good friend, Mother; that I forgive his exaggerations," Iona reached over and kindly touched my cheek. As that gesture ended, Iona's face grew shocked. "Mom, I think we need to go see Mrs. Worsham's class now, if we are going to get everything taken care of before lunch," Iona hurried her mother. "It was nice to meet you Zane," we shook hands as we both stood as well. Hope I followed Iona's gaze and my heart stopped. It was Hope, looking so do-able in her school-wear. With her were a petite woman, smaller and maybe a bit heavier than Hope, three more little Hope's in descending age and lastly, a male version of Hope, but this one was made out of Lego bricks, really big Lego bricks, it was Yeong Song. Yeong Song had charisma in spades; he wasn't the Angel of Death, he had grabbed that punk by the short and curlies and taken over his job. That was how he appeared to me at that moment. Oh yeah and he was looking right through me. As if on cue, Hope smiled and whispered something to her father and they both came my way. Imagine a choreographed interpretive dance troupe; you had Hope's three younger sisters spread out over the middle half of the room, having fun with some of the few freshmen girls that were hanging around. Yeong was like his eldest daughter in the way they moved, you could tell they were walking toward you but I couldn't recall their feet moving or even hearing footfalls. That was probably just my fear speaking. From personal experience I knew Hope was human with all our frailties and imperfections, she was simply more perfect than most. "Father, this is my good friend Glenn Zane Braxton, who is known by the name Zane to both his friends and enemies," demurred Hope. "Zane, this is my Father, Major of the Republic of Korea, retired, Yeong Song," she introduced her father to me. I extended my hand, he took it in a granite grip and gave it two sharp shakes. I stood there like an idiot but at least my heart was beating and I was breathing again. "Your pulse is racing young man, your palms are sweaty and you are staring at me with dilated pupils," Yeong noted dispassionately. "Well, since I've lain down with your naked daughter for a variety of bedroom antics on several occasions; I naturally assumed you had come here to kill me," I blathered. "You have been naked with my eldest daughter," he said in a way that could be contrived as a statement or a question. "You didn't know?" I groaned. I wondered if this counted as suicide. "You have honorable intentions toward my daughter," he informed me. Huh? "No," I gulped. "I was thinking we could fool around, mainly." "I understand you are the last of your line," he glared at me. Uh oh, wait. "You know who I am, so you must have already been told by Hope what's really been going on," I breathed a sigh of relief. "See Father, Zane's not dense," Hope hugged her father's arm, "he's simply terrified of you." "I noticed," Yeong almost smiled. "Mr. Braxton, I don't mind you seeing my daughter socially, but please learn at least to fight as well as my youngest daughter, she's nine." "You learn from people who are better than you, not from people you are

As Eric Church and Raj Alva began the development of Whiskey JYPSI, they sought the help of experienced whiskey masters and blenders who could help them reimagine traditional whiskey industry conventions. After countless meetings with master distillers and blenders, they decided Ari Sussman was the first man for the job.After all, Ari had been the head of Spirits Development for Michigan State's Artisan Distilling Program and an award-winning whiskey maker. But he also had a healthy dose of the JYPSI Spirit in him. Before entering the whiskey world full time, Ari's career included winemaking in France, bartending on multiple continents, and working with seed banks to revive historic grain varietals for whiskey making. He also raised ostriches and almonds with Bedouin tribes in the Middle East. And when it comes to whiskey, it turns out he is a remarkable experimenter, tinkerer and innovator. “The mad scientist,” they call him. Which made Ari the perfect choice for creating something new. Called Whiskey JYPSI.

The audio recording of this conversation was compromised and you may need to adjust volume settings for certain portions of the recording. We are deeply sorry for the inconvenience. Dr. Yasmeen Abu Fraiha is a medical doctor with a specialty in internal medicine, currently completing a clinical fellowship in critical care at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, combined with a research fellowship at the Middle East Initiative at Harvard Kennedy School. Her research focuses on healthcare policy and politics that create inequality in health services and outcomes for underserved communities.  She formerly served as the Health Policy Director at the Task Force for Health Promotion and Equity in the Arab Society at the Israeli Ministry of Health, leading major efforts and interventions to deal with health disparities between Jews and Arabs in Israel.   She co-founded two NGOs that promote socio-economic development of the Bedouin community in Israel, while focusing on health, education, women's employment, housing and community empowerment. She has won several awards, including the 2007 Ramon Award for quality, leadership, and excellence and was chosen to be part of Forbes' “30 Under 30” list. In 2023, she was named one of Israel's 50 most influential women by Globes Magazine.  Yasmeen holds a BSc and MD from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and an MPA from Harvard Kennedy School.

What do garlic, blackberries, cucumbers, eggplants, mushrooms, and pumpkins have in common? More than you might think. Across history and folklore, fruits and vegetables have not only nourished humanity but terrified it - linked with madness, curses, demons, vampires, and even the Devil himself. From garlic garlands that warded off the undead, to blackberries spoiled by Satan's spit, to Japanese river demons with a fondness for cucumbers, and the pumpkin lanterns that still haunt our porches every Halloween - produce has carried meanings far darker than the dinner table.Join John and Patrick as they explore the eerie world of cursed crops and sinister superstitions: a journey from medieval England to haunted Japanese rivers, from Bedouin tales of madness-inducing eggplants to the psychedelic mushrooms of Siberian shamans. This is the story of fruits and vegetables not as symbols of life and vitality, but as omens of death, disease, and the supernatural…----------In Sponsorship with J&K Fresh.The customs broker who is your fruit and veggies' personal bodyguard. Learn more here!-----------Join the History of Fresh Produce Club for ad-free listening, bonus episodes, book discounts and access to an exclusive chatroom community.Support us!Share this episode with your friendsGive a 5-star ratingWrite a review -----------Subscribe to our biweekly newsletter here for extra stories related to recent episodes, book recommendations, a sneak peek of upcoming episodes and more.-----------Instagram, TikTok, Threads:@historyoffreshproduceEmail: historyoffreshproduce@gmail.com

      Episode Description Episode Description Episode Description         Sign up to receive this Unreached of the Day podcast sent to you:                         https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/10758                        Dear Friend, The Batak people of North Sumatra didn't have a written language until 1834. Today, they're one of the largest Christian populations in Indonesia, with over 6 million believers. The transformation happened because someone, a German missionary named Ludwig Nommensen, decided their spiritual poverty was unacceptable. That was 190 years ago. Today, 4,473 people groups are still waiting for their Ludwig Nommensen moment. The People Group Adoption Program launches today, and here's how it works: It meets you where you are. You're not being asked to become a missionary in the field (though if God calls you to that, we'll cheer you on). You're being invited to use your current gifts, prayer, advocacy, networking, research to support those who are already called to go. It's strategic. Every people group in our database has been vetted by researchers and field workers. These aren't randomly selected communities. They're the 100 largest frontier people groups, the populations with the least gospel access and the greatest potential for kingdom impact. It grows with your capacity. Whether you're adopting as a family, church, or organization, the commitment adjusts to what you can offer. Some will pray weekly. Others will fund translation projects. A few will end up moving to the field. All contributions matter. When you adopt a people group today, you'll receive: Immediate next steps for your specific adopted group A digital covenant card to mark your commitment Information about your frontier people group Regular updates as we develop more resources and connections Beyond the practical resources, you'll receive something harder to quantify: the knowledge that you're part of a strategic response to the most urgent spiritual need on our planet. The Batak people have been sending missionaries to unreached groups for decades now. Their story didn't end with their own transformation; it multiplied exponentially.

Who were the people of Palestine and what were their lives about in the late 19th century, before the first Zionists began arriving from Europe in the 1880s?   This episode focuses on the fellahin – the peasants of Palestine... Continue Reading →

Welcome to "Inside the Epicenter" with Joel and Lynn Rosenberg, presented by the Joshua Fund. In this episode, Lynn Rosenberg shares firsthand stories of how women and families in Israel are finding strength amid war—navigating fears for their children, answering tough questions, and relying on faith, prayer, and fellowship. You’ll hear about practical support for mothers, pro-life counseling, and outreach to Bedouin and refugee communities. Discover how the Joshua Fund is helping the most vulnerable and learn ways to pray and get involved in blessing Israel and her neighbors during times of crisis. (00:00) Eddie Lynn's Remarkable Faith Journey(04:22) Parenting, Faith, and Wartime Challenges(07:16) "War Shelters and Survival Time"(12:10) Faith Over Fear in Crisis(16:08) Empowering Women Through Faith(19:57) "Support Middle East Families Today"(20:57) "Sam's Story" Learn more about The Joshua Fund: JoshuaFund.comMake a tax-deductible donation: Donate | The Joshua FundStock Media provided by DimmySad / Pond5Verse of the Day: Hebrews 11: 1-3. Now, faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it, the people of old received their commendation. By faith, we understand that the universe was created by the word of God so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. Pray for mothers, children, and the soldiers in Israel to experience God's protection, peace, and daily courage in these uncertain times. Pray for counselors, pro-life ministries, and outreach programs serving vulnerable women and families, including Bedouin and refugee communities, to bear fruit and reveal every child as a blessing from God. And Pray for congregations to turn from fear and constant news toward scripture, prayer, fellowship, and practical love that strengthens the body of Christ. Related Episodes:Alaska Epicenter Cruise Session 4 - Guiding the Next Generation Back to Truth #319SPECIAL EDITION: Can Trump’s Surprise 20-Point Gaza Peace Plan End The War? #318SPECIAL EDITION: Historic Peace Deal in Israel and Gaza #320Special Episode - October 7th: Bearing Witness to the Massacre - Todd Morehead #317Donate a generous monthly gift to The Joshua Fund to bless Israel and Her Neighbors now and for the long haul. Become an Epicenter Ally today! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Tune into the fourth installment of AJC's latest limited podcast series, Architects of Peace. Go behind the scenes of the decades-long diplomacy and quiet negotiations that made the Abraham Accords possible, bringing Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and later Morocco, together in historic peace agreements.  From cockpits to kitchens to concert halls, the Abraham Accords are inspiring unexpected partnerships. In the fourth episode of AJC's limited series, four “partners of peace” share how these historic agreements are reshaping their lives and work. Hear from El Mehdi Boudra of the Mimouna Association on building people-to-people ties; producer Gili Masami on creating a groundbreaking Israeli–Emirati song; pilot Karim Taissir on flying between Casablanca and Tel Aviv while leading Symphionette, a Moroccan orchestra celebrating Andalusian music; and chef Gal Ben Moshe, the first Israeli chef to ever cook in Dubai on his dream of opening a restaurant in the UAE. *The views and opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views or position of AJC.  Episode lineup: El Mehdi Boudra (4:00) Gili Masami (11:10) Karim Taissir (16:14) Gal Ben Moshe (21:59) Read the transcript: https://www.ajc.org/news/podcast/partners-of-peace-architects-of-peace-episode-4 Resources: AJC.org/ArchitectsofPeace - Tune in weekly for new episodes. The Abraham Accords, Explained AJC.org/CNME - Find more on AJC's Center for a New Middle East Listen – AJC Podcasts: The Forgotten Exodus  People of the Pod Follow Architects of Peace on your favorite podcast app, and learn more at AJC.org/ArchitectsofPeace You can reach us at: podcasts@ajc.org If you've appreciated this episode, please be sure to tell your friends, and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Transcript: El Mehdi Boudra: All the stereotypes started like getting out and people want to meet with the other. They wanted to discover the beauty of the diversity of Israel. And this is unique in the region, where you have Arabs Muslims, Arab Christians, Druze, Beta Yisrael, Ashkenazi, Sephardic Jews, Jews from India, from all over the world. This beauty of diversity in Israel is very unique for our region. Manya Brachear Pashman: In September 2020, the world saw what had been years – decades – in the making: landmark peace agreements dubbed the Abraham Accords – normalizing relations between Israel and two Arabian Gulf states, the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Bahrain. Later, in December, they were joined by the Kingdom of Morocco.  Five years later, AJC is pulling back the curtain to meet key individuals who built the trust that led to these breakthroughs and turning the spotlight on some of the results. Introducing: the Architects of Peace. ILTV correspondent: Well, hello, shalom, salaam. For the first time since the historic normalization deal between Israel and the UAE, an Israeli and an Emirati have teamed up to make music. [Ahlan Bik plays] The signs have been everywhere. On stages in Jerusalem and in recording studios in Abu Dhabi. [Camera sounds]. On a catwalk in Tel Aviv during Fashion Week and on the covers of Israeli and Arab magazines. [Kitchen sounds]. In the kitchens of gourmet restaurants where Israeli and Emirati chefs exchanged recipes. Just days after the announcement of the Abraham Accords, Emirati ruler Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan formally ended the UAE's nearly 50-year boycott of Israel. Though commerce and cooperation had taken place between the countries under the radar for years, the boycott's official end transformed the fields of water, renewable energy, health, cybersecurity, and tourism.  In 2023, Israel and the UAE signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to advance economic cooperation, and by 2024, commerce between the UAE and Israel grew to $3.2 billion. Trade between Bahrain and Israel surged 740% in one year. As one of the world's most water-stressed countries, Bahrain's Electrical and Water Authority signed an agreement to acquire water desalination technology from Israel's national water company [Mekorot].  Signs of collaboration between Israeli and Arab artists also began to emerge. It was as if a creative energy had been unlocked and a longing to collaborate finally had the freedom to fly. [Airplane take off sounds]. And by the way, people had the freedom to fly too, as commercial airlines sent jets back and forth between Tel Aviv, Casablanca, Abu Dhabi, and Manama.  A gigantic step forward for countries that once did not allow long distance calls to Israel, let alone vacations to the Jewish state. At long last, Israelis, Moroccans, Emiratis, and Bahrainis could finally satisfy their curiosity about one another. This episode features excerpts from four conversations. Not with diplomats or high-level senior officials, but ordinary citizens from the region who have seized opportunities made possible by the Abraham Accords to pursue unprecedented partnerships. For El Medhi Boudra, the Abraham Accords were a dream come true.  As a Muslim college student in 2007 at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco, he founded a group dedicated to preserving and teaching the Jewish heritage of his North African home. El Mehdi knew fostering conversations and friendships would be the only way to counter stereotypes and foster a genuine appreciation for all of Morocco's history, including its once-thriving Jewish community of more than 100,000. Five years later, El Mehdi's efforts flourished into a nonprofit called Mimouna, the name of a Moroccan tradition that falls on the day after Passover, when Jewish and Muslim families gather at each other's homes to enjoy cakes and sweets and celebrate the end of the Passover prohibitions. Together.   El Mehdi Boudra: Our work started in the campus to fill this gap between the old generation who talk with nostalgia about Moroccan Jews, and the young generation who don't know nothing about Moroccan Judaism. Then, in the beginning, we focused only on the preservation and educating and the promotion of Jewish heritage within campuses in Morocco. In 2011, we decided to organize the first conference on the Holocaust in the Arab world. Manya Brachear Pashman: So did the Abraham Accords make any difference in the work you were already doing? I mean, I know Mimouna was already a longtime partner with AJC.  El Mehdi Boudra: With Abraham Accords, we thought bigger. We brought young professionals from Morocco and Israel to work together in certain sectors on challenges that our regions are overcoming. Like environment, climate change, water scarcity and innovation, and bring the best minds that we have in Morocco and in Israel to work together. But we included also other participants from Emirates and Bahrain. This was the first one that we started with.  The second was with AJC. We invited also young professionals from United States and France, which was an opportunity to work globally. Because today, we cannot work alone. We need to borrow power from each other. If we have the same vision and the same values, we need to work together.  In Morocco, we say: one hand don't clap. We need both hands. And this is the strategy that we have been doing with AJC, to bring all the partners to make sure that we can succeed in this mission.  We had another people-to-people initiative. This one is with university students. It's called Youth for MENA. It's with an Israeli organization called Noar. And we try to take advantage of the Abraham Accords to make our work visible, impactful, to make the circle much bigger. Israel is a country that is part of this region. And we can have, Israel can offer good things to our region. It can fight against the challenges that we have in our region. And an Israeli is like an Iraqi. We can work all together and try to build a better future for our region at the end of the day. Manya Brachear Pashman: El Mehdi, when you started this initiative did you encounter pushback from other Moroccans? I mean, I understand the Accords lifted some of the restrictions and opened doors, but did it do anything to change attitudes? Or are there detractors still, to the same degree? El Mehdi Boudra: Before the Abraham Accords, it was more challenging to preserve Moroccan Jewish heritage in Morocco. It was easier. To educate about Holocaust. It was also OK. But to do activities with civil society in Israel, it was very challenging. Because, first of all, there is no embassies or offices between Morocco. Then to travel, there is no direct flights.  There is the stereotypes that people have about you going to Israel. With Abraham Accords, we could do that very freely. Everyone was going to Israel, and more than that, there was becoming like a tendency to go to Israel.  Moroccans, they started wanting to spend their vacation in Tel Aviv. They were asking us as an organization. We told them, we are not a tour guide, but we can help you. They wanted to travel to discover the country.  All the stereotypes started like getting out and people want to meet with other. They wanted to discover the beauty of the diversity of Israel. And this is unique in the region where you have  Arab Muslims, Arab Christians, Druze, Beta Israel, Ashkenazi, Sephardic Jews, Jews from India, from all over the world. This beauty of diversity in Israel is very unique for our region.  And it's not granted in this modern time, as you can see in the region. You can see what happened in Iraq, what's happening in Syria, for minorities. Then you know, this gave us hope, and we need this hope in these dark times. Manya Brachear Pashman: Hm, what do you mean? How does Israel's diversity provide hope for the rest of the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region?  El Mehdi Boudra: Since the MENA region lost its diversity, we lost a lot. It's not the Christians or the Yazidis or the Jews who left the MENA region who are in bad shape. It's the people of the MENA region who are in bad shape because those people, they immigrated to U.S., to Sweden, they have better lives. But who lost is those countries.  Then us as the majority Muslims in the region, we should reach out to those minorities. We should work closely today with all countries, including Israel, to build a better future for our region. There is no choice. And we should do it very soon, because nothing is granted in life.  And we should take this opportunity of the Abraham Accords as a real opportunity for everyone. It's not an opportunity for Israel or the people who want to have relation with Israel. It's an opportunity for everyone, from Yemen to Morocco. Manya Brachear Pashman: Morocco has had diplomatic relations with Israel in the past, right? Did you worry or do you still worry that the Abraham Accords will fall apart as a result of the Israel Hamas War? El Mehdi Boudra: Yes, yes, to tell you the truth, yes. After the 7th of October and things were going worse and worse. We said, the war will finish and it didn't finish. And I thought that probably with the tensions, the protest, will cut again the relations. But Morocco didn't cut those relations. Morocco strengthened those relations with Israel, and also spoke about the Palestinians' cause in the same time.  Which I'm really proud of my government's decisions to not cut those relations, and we hope to strengthen those relations, because now they are not going in a fast dynamic. We want to go back to the first time when things were going very fastly. When United States signed with the Emirates and Bahrain in September 2020, I was hoping that Morocco will be the first, because Morocco had strong relations with Israel. We had direct relations in the 90s and we cut those relations after the Second Intifada in 2000.  We lost those 21 years. But it's not [too] late now. We are working. The 7th of October happened. Morocco is still having relations with Israel. We are still having the Moroccan government and the Israeli government having strong relations together.  Of course, initiatives to people-to-people are less active because of the war. But you know, the war will finish very soon, we hope, and the hostages will go back to their homes, Inshallah, and we will get back to our lives. And this is the time for us as civil society to do stronger work and to make sure that we didn't lose those two years. [Ahlan Bik plays] Manya Brachear Pashman: Just weeks after the White House signing ceremony on September 15, 2020, Israeli music producer Gili Masami posted a music video on YouTube. The video featured a duet between a former winner of Israel's version of The Voice, Elkana Marziano, and Emirati singer Walid Aljasim.  The song's title? Ahlan Bik, an Arabic greeting translated as “Hello, Friend.” In under three weeks, the video had garnered more than 1.1 million views. Gili Masami: When I saw Bibi Netanyahu and Trump sign this contract, the Abraham Accords, I said, ‘Wow!' Because always my dream was to fly to Dubai. And when I saw this, I said, ‘Oh, this is the time to make some project that I already know how to do.' So I thought to make the first historic collaboration between an Israeli singer and an Emirati singer.  We find this production company, and they say, OK. We did this historic collaboration. And the first thing it was that I invite the Emirati people to Israel. They came here. I take them to visit Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and then I get a call to meet in Gitix Technology Week in the World Trade Center in Dubai. Manya Brachear Pashman: Gitix. That's the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition, one of the world's largest annual tech summits, which met in Dubai that year and invited an Israeli delegation for the first time. Gili Masami: They tell me. ‘Listen, your song, it was big in 200 countries, cover worldwide. We want you to make this show.' I said, OK. We came to Dubai, and then we understand that the production company is the family of Mohammed bin Zayed al Nayhan, the president of UAE. And now we understand why they agree.  The brother of Muhammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheik Issa Ben Zahid Al Nahyan, he had this production company. This singer, it's his singer. And we say, ‘Wow, we get to this so high level, with the government of Dubai.' And then all the doors opened in Dubai.  And then it was the Corona. 200 countries around the world cover this story but we can't do shows because this Corona issue, but we still did it first. Manya Brachear Pashman: The song Ahlan Bik translates to “Hello, Friend.” It was written by Israeli songwriter Doron Medalie. Can you tell our listeners what it's about? Gili Masami: The song Ahlan Bik, it's this song speak about Ibrihim. Because if we go to the Bible, they are cousins. They are cousins. And you know, because of that, we call this Abraham Accords, because of Avraham. And they are sons of Ishmael. Yishmael. And we are sons of Jacob.  So because of that, we are from back in the days. And this is the real cousins. Saudi Arabia, UAE, Morocco. They are the real ones. And this song speak about this connection. Manya Brachear Pashman: After Morocco joined the Abraham Accords, you also put together a collaboration between Elkana and Moroccan singer Sanaa Mohamed. But your connection to UAE continued. You actually moved to Dubai for a year and opened a production company there. I know you're back in Israel now, but have you kept in touch with people there?   Gili Masami: I have a lot of friends in UAE. A lot of friends. I have a production company in UAE too. But every time we have these problems with this war, so we can do nothing. I was taking a lot of groups to Dubai, making tours, parties, shows, and all this stuff, because this war. So we're still friends.  Manya Brachear Pashman: Given this war, do you ever go back and listen to the song Ahlan Bik for inspiration, for hope?  Gili Masami: I don't look about the thinking that way. These things. I know what I did, and this is enough for me. I did history. This is enough for me. I did [a] good thing. This is enough for me. I did the first collaboration, and this is enough for me. Manya Brachear Pashman: Moroccan pilot and music aficionado Karim Taissir also knows the power of music. In 2016, he reached out to Tom Cohen, the founder and conductor of the Jerusalem Orchestra East & West and invited him to Morocco to conduct Symphonyat, an orchestra of 40 musicians from around the world playing Jewish and Arab music from Morocco's past that often has been neglected.  Karim Taissir: In 2015 I contacted Tom via Facebook because of a story happening in Vietnam. I was in a bar. And this bar, the owner, tried to connect with people. And the concept was a YouTube session connected on the speaker of the bar, and they asked people to put some music on from their countries. So when he asked me, I put something played by Tom [Cohen], it was Moroccan music played by the orchestra of Tom. And people said, ‘Wow.'  And I felt the impact of the music, in terms of even, like the ambassador role. So that gave me the idea. Back in Morocco, I contacted him. I told him, ‘Listen, you are doing great music, especially when it comes to Moroccan music, but I want to do it in Morocco. So are you ready to collaborate? And you should tell me, what do you need to create an orchestra that do this, this excellency of music?'  And I don't know why he replied to my message, because, usually he got lots of message from people all over the world, but it was like that. So from that time, I start to look of musician, of all conditions, asked by Tom, and in 2016 in April, we did one week of rehearsals. This was a residence of musician in Casablanca by Royal Foundation Hiba. And this is how it starts. And from that time, we tried every year to organize concerts. Sometimes we succeed, and sometimes not. Manya Brachear Pashman: I asked this of El Mehdi too, since you were already doing this kind of bridge building Karim, did the Abraham Accords change anything for you? Karim Taissir: In ‘22 we did the great collaboration. It was a fusion between the two orchestras, under the conductor Tom Cohen in Timna desert [National Park], with the presence of many famous people, politician, and was around like more than 4,000 people, and the President Herzog himself was was there, and we had a little chat for that.  And even the program, it was about peace, since there was Moroccan music, Israeli music, Egyptian music, Greek music, Turkish music. And this was very nice, 18 musicians on the stage. Manya Brachear Pashman: Oh, wow. 18 musicians. You know, the number 18, of course, is very significant, meaningful for the Jewish tradition.  So, this was a combination of Israeli musicians, Moroccan musicians, playing music from across the region. Turkey, Greece, Egypt, Israel. What did that mean for you? In other words, what was the symbolism of that collaboration and of that choice of music? Karim Taissir: Listen, to be honest, it wasn't a surprise for me, the success of collaboration, since there was excellent artists from Israel and from Morocco. But more than that, the fact that Moroccan Muslims and other people with Israeli musicians, they work together every concert, rehearsals.  They became friends, and maybe it was the first time for some musicians, especially in Morocco. I'm not talking only about peace, happiness, between people. It's very easy in our case, because it's people to people. Manya Brachear Pashman: How have those friendships held up under the strain of the Israel-Hamas War? Karim Taissir: Since 7th October, me, for example, I'm still in touch with all musicians from Israel, not only musicians, all my friends from Israel to support. To support them, to ask if they are OK. And they appreciate, I guess, because I guess some of them feel even before they have friends from all over the world. But suddenly it's not the case for us, it's more than friendships, and if I don't care about them, which means it's not true friendships. And especially Tom. Tom is more than more than a brother. And we are looking forward very soon to perform in Israel, in Morocco, very soon. Manya Brachear Pashman: So I should clarify for listeners that Symphonyat is not your full-time job. Professionally you are a pilot for Royal Air Maroc. And a week after that concert in Timna National Park in March 2022, Royal Air Maroc launched direct flights between Casablanca and Tel Aviv. Those flights have been suspended during the war, but did you get to fly that route? Karim Taissir: They call me the Israeli guy since I like very much to be there. Because I was kind of ambassador since I was there before, I'm trying always to explain people, when you will be there, you will discover other things. Before 7th of October, I did many, many, many flights as captain, and now we're waiting, not only me, all my colleagues.  Because really, really–me, I've been in Israel since 2016–but all my colleagues, the first time, it was during those flights. And all of them had a really nice time. Not only by the beauty of the Tel Aviv city, but also they discover Israeli people. So we had really, really, very nice memories from that period, and hoping that very soon we will launch flight. Manya Brachear Pashman: Chef Gal Ben Moshe, the first Israeli chef to earn a Michelin Star for his restaurant in Berlin, remembers the day he got the call to speak at Gulfood 2021, a world food festival in Abu Dhabi. That call led to another call, then another, and then another.  Before he knew it, Chef Gal's three-day trip to the United Arab Emirates had blossomed into a 10-day series: of master classes, panel discussions, catered dinners, and an opportunity to open a restaurant in Dubai. Gal Ben Moshe: Like I said, it wasn't just one dinner, it wasn't just a visit. It's basically from February ‘21 to October ‘23 I think I've been more than six, eight times, in the Emirates. Like almost regularly cooking dinners, doing events, doing conferences. And I cooked in the Dubai Expo when it was there. I did the opening event of the Dubai Expo. And a lot of the things that I did there, again, I love the place. I love the people. I got connected to a lot of people that I really, truly miss. Manya Brachear Pashman: When we first connected, you told me that the Abraham Accords was one of your favorite topics. Why? Gal Ben Moshe: I always felt kind of like, connected to it, because I was the first Israeli chef to ever cook in Dubai. And one of the most influential times of my life, basically going there and being there throughout basically everything from the Abraham Accords up to October 7. To a degree that I was supposed to open a restaurant there on the first of November 2023 which, as you probably know, did not happen in the end.  And I love this place. And I love the idea of the Abraham Accords, and I've had a lot of beautiful moments there, and I've met a lot of amazing people there. And, in a way, talking about it is kind of me missing my friends less. Manya Brachear Pashman: So you were originally invited to speak at Gulfood. What topics did you cover and what was the reception like? Gal Ben Moshe: The journalist that interviewed me, he was a great guy, asked me, ‘OK, so, like, where do you want to cook next?' And I said, ‘If you would ask me six months ago, I would say that I would love to cook in Dubai, but it's not possible.' So having this happened, like, anything can happen, right? Like, if you would tell me in June 2020 that I would be cooking in Dubai in February 2021, I'm not sure I was going to believe you. It was very secretive, very fast, very surprising. And I said, ‘Yeah, you know, I would love to cook in Damascus and Beirut, because it's two places that are basically very influential in the culture of what is the Pan-Arabic kitchen of the Levant. So a lot of the food influence, major culinary influence, comes from basically Aleppo, Damascus and Beirut. Basically, this area is the strongest influence on food. A lot of Jordanians are probably going to be insulted by me saying this, but this is very this is like culinary Mecca, in my opinion.'  And I said it, and somebody from the audience shouted: ‘I'm from Beirut! You can stay at my place!' And I was like, it's just amazing. And the funny thing is, and I always talk about it is, you know, I talk about my vegetable suppliers in Berlin and everything in the Syrian chefs and Palestinian chefs and Lebanese chefs that I met in the Emirates that became friends of mine. And I really have this thing as like, I'm gonna say it is that we have so much in common. It's crazy how much we have in common.  You know, we have this war for the past two years with basically everyone around us. But I think that when we take this thing out of context, out of the politics, out of the region, out of this border dispute or religious dispute, or whatever it is, and we meet each other in different country. We have so much in common, and sometimes, I dare say, more than we have in common with ourselves as an Israeli society. And it's crazy how easy it is for me to strike a conversation and get friendly with the Lebanese or with a Palestinian or with the Syrian if I meet them in Berlin or in Dubai or in New York or in London. Manya Brachear Pashman: I should clarify, you run restaurants in Tel Aviv, but the restaurant that earned a Michelin star in 2020 and held on to it for four years, was Prism in Berlin. Tel Aviv was going to be added to the Michelin Guide in December 2023, but that was put on hold after the start of the Israel-Hamas War. Did your time in the Emirates inspire recipes that perhaps landed on your menu at Prism? Gal Ben Moshe: I was approached by a local journalist that wrote cookbooks and he did a special edition cookbook for 50 years for the Emirates. And he wanted me to contribute a recipe. And I did a dish that ended up being a Prism signature dish for a while, of Camel tartar with caviar, quail yolk, grilled onion, and it was served in this buckwheat tortelet. And at the time, it's a concept dish. So basically, the story is this whole story of Dubai. So you have the camel and the caviar, so between the desert and the sea. And then you have the camel, which basically is the nomadic background of Dubai, with the Bedouin culture and everything, and the caviar, which is this luxurious, futuristic–what Dubai is today. And it was really a dish about the Emirates. And I was invited to cook it afterwards in a state dinner, like with very high-end hotel with very high-end guests.  And basically the chef of the hotel, who's a great guy, is like, sending, writing me an email, like, I'm not going to serve camel. I'm not going to serve camel in this meal. And I was like, but it's the whole story. It's the whole thing. He's like, but what's wrong with Wagyu beef? It's like, we're in Dubai. Wagyu beef is very Dubai. And I was like, not in the way that the camel is in that story. Listen, for a chef working there, it's a playground, it's heaven. People there are super curious about food. They're open-minded. And there's great food there. There's a great food scene there, great chefs working there. I think some of the best restaurants in the world are right now there, and it was amazing. Manya Brachear Pashman: There have been other Israeli chefs who opened their restaurants in Dubai before October 7. I know Chef Eyal Shani opened with North Miznon in a Hilton hotel in Dubai. You recently closed Prism, which really was a mom and pop place in Berlin, and you've now opened a hotel restaurant in Prague. Would you still consider opening a kitchen in Dubai? Gal Ben Moshe: I have not given up on the Emirates in any way. Like I've said, I love it there. I love the people there. I love the atmosphere there. I love the idea of being there. I would say that there is complexities, and I understand much better now, in hindsight of these two years. Of why, basically, October 7 meant that much. I live in Berlin for 13 years, and I work with my vegetable suppliers for the past, I would say nine or eight years. They're Palestinians and Syrians and Lebanese and everything.  And even though October 7 happened and everything that's happened afterwards, we're still very close, and I would still define our relationship as very friendly and very positive. The one thing is that, I don't know, but I think it's because we know each other from before. And I don't know if they would have taken the business of an Israeli chef after October 7. So having known me and that I'm not a symbol for them, but I am an individual.  For them it is easier because we're friends, like we worked together, let's say for five years before October 7. It's not going to change our relationship just because October 7 happened. But I think what I do understand is that sometimes our place in the world is different when it comes to becoming symbols. And there are people who don't know me and don't know who I am or what my opinions are, how I view the world, and then I become just a symbol of being an Israeli chef. And then it's you are this, and nothing you can say at that moment changes it.  So I don't think that me opening a restaurant in Dubai before October 7 was a problem. I do understand that an Israeli chef opening a restaurant in Dubai after October 7 was not necessarily a good thing. I can understand how it's perceived as, in the symbolism kind of way, not a good thing. So I think basically, when this war is over, I think that the friendship is there. I think the connection is there. I think the mutual respect and admiration is there. And I think that there is no reason that it can't grow even further. Manya Brachear Pashman: In our next episode, expected to air after the High Holidays, we discuss how the Abraham Accords have held during one of Israel's most challenging times and posit which Arab countries might be next to join the historic pact.  Atara Lakritz is our producer. T.K. Broderick is our sound engineer. Special thanks to Jason Isaacson, Sean Savage, and the entire AJC team for making this series possible.  You can subscribe to Architects of Peace on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, and you can learn more at AJC.org/ArchitectsofPeace. The views and opinions of our guests don't necessarily reflect the positions of AJC. You can reach us at podcasts@ajc.org. If you've enjoyed this episode, please be sure to spread the word, and hop onto Apple Podcasts or Spotify to rate us and write a review to help more listeners find us. Music Credits: Middle East : ID: 279780040; Composer: Eric Sutherland אלקנה מרציאנו & Waleed Aljasim - אהלן ביכ | Elkana Marziano AHALAN bik أهلاً بيك Moroccan Suite: Item ID: 125557642; Composer: umberto sangiovanni Medley Ana Glibi Biddi Kwitou / Ma Nebra - Symphonyat with Sanaa Marahati - Casablanca - 2022 Middle East: Item ID: 297982529; Composer: Aditya Mystical Middle East: ID: 212471911; Composer: Vicher  

The Soundcheck Podcast series offers up music from recent sessions, all revolving around The Blues –at the root of so much popular music, and where the roots have grown into other fruits worldwide. Listen to French-Moroccan band Bab L' Bluz and their hot psychedelic blues spiked with the Gnawa trance rhythms of northern Africa's Maghreb. There's the “Desert Blues” of West Africa in music by singer and guitarist Mdou Moctar from Niger. He and his band combine rock and psychedelia, call-and-response and accelerating threes, and fiery guitar playing for trancey and ecstatic results. Listen to Texas-raised singer, guitarist, and songwriter Ruthie Foster and her longtime bandmates who play some of their feel-good and hopeful blues. Hear the timeless sound of West Georgia Blues by singer and guitarist Jontavious Willis (along with the wicked tunings and his slide playing), in-studio. Plus, there's the groove and swagger of Yemen Blues, and their fusion of Moroccan trance, Arab and Bedouin folk, and Western funk and rock. The American singer-songwriter Fantastic Negrito plays some of his blues-stomp-and-roll music with roots in his family's past. Plus, hear the vintage soul and blues-rock sound of Memphis and Mississippi-rooted, Brooklyn native singer Bette Smith. Soundcheck Special, Sept. 2025 – “Blues Is the Roots” (First aired 9/20/25)ARTIST: Marco BeneventoWORK: Eagle Rock [1:02]RECORDING: TigerFaceSOURCE: Royal Potato FamilyINFO: https://marcobenevento.bandcamp.com/album/tigerfaceARTIST: Jontavious WillisWORK: Ghost Woman [5:52]RECORDING: Live for the Soundcheck Podcast, Nov. 2024SOURCE: This performance not commercially availableINFO: https://jontaviouswillis.comARTIST: Fantastic NegritoWORK: Son of a Broken Man [5:02]RECORDING: Live on Soundcheck, Oct. 2024SOURCE: This performance not commercially available.INFO: https://www.fantasticnegrito.com/ARTIST: Ruthie FosterWORK: Phenomenal Woman [7:00]RECORDING: Live for the Soundcheck Podcast, March 2023SOURCE: This performance not commercially available.INFO: https://www.ruthiefoster.com/ARTIST: Mdou MoctarWORK: Imouhar [6:18]RECORDING: Live for the Soundcheck Podcast, June 2024SOURCE: This performance not commercially available.INFO: https://www.mdoumoctar.com/ARTIST: Bab L' BluzWORK: Imazighen [4:15]RECORDING: Live for the Soundcheck Podcast, April 2025SOURCE: This performance not commercially available.INFO: https://www.bablbluz.com/ARTIST: Yemen BluesWORK: Allenby [5:26]RECORDING: Live for the Soundcheck Podcast, Sept. 2024SOURCE: This performance not commercially available.INFO: https://yemenblues.com/ARTIST: Bette SmithWORK: Darkest Hour [3:35]RECORDING: Live for the Soundcheck Podcast, Aug. 2024SOURCE: This performance not commercially available.INFO: https://www.bettesmith.com

This is a special podcast that I've been working on since June. I first heard about Matan Yaffe from a friend in April. He was founding a new political party and the platform was generating real excitement. The founders - including Matan - were all over Israel constantly hosting evening information sessions. Very grassroots and spreading like wildfire. So I reached out to Matan and we had several long chats, some recorded, some not. He is at the forefront of what could be a seismic political change in Israel in the near future.The result of our discussions is this longer podcast; a two part interview with Matan who - along with several colleagues - has founded El HaDegel. It translates in English as “To the Flag.” They are a movement and political party that will run in the next elections.El HaDegel's core principle is a concept that was central to the vision of David Ben Gurion and the founding mothers and fathers: mamlachti'ut. And that roughly translates to putting the state first. Service. Leave no one behind. No “special deals.” Israeli society is being torn apart from the inside, never mind our external enemies. Three years of domestic conflict, including two years of war, have drained the count of resources - physical and psychological. And Matan Yaffe and his colleagues believe they understand why and propose a solution. They advocate a reformed Israel in which all citizens work and serve the state - whether through the military or in a civilian context. No exceptions. And that is the platform on which they are running - and polling strongly. There are now two parties - El HaDegel and Miluimnikim (which translates as “reservists”) which have been founded recently by IDF reserve soldiers who believe that the state is long overdue for a constitutional rebuild. If not, many worry, it will face a multi-faceted existential crisis. Matan and his colleagues are energetic, smart, accomplished and determined. We get into all the tough issues in this two part podcast, and I know you will learn much from our discussion. I certainly did.My brief introduction to this podcast is audio only but for those who prefer to watch on YouTube the main podcast is full audio visual. It's been little challenging lately - I've been traveling a lot - and finding a place with the right light, etc, is not as easy as you would think. Show your support for STLV at buymeacoffee.com/stateoftelavivState of Tel Aviv is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Podcast NotesMatan Yaffe's social media links (predominantly in Hebrew):Matan Yafe on IG (post in English)Matan Yafe on XMatan Yafe on InstagramMatan Yafe on FacebookEl HaDegel social media links (in Hebrew):El Hadegel on XEl Hadegel on InstagramEl Hadegel on FacebookMatan Yaffe is an Israeli civic leader, reservist, and social entrepreneur dedicated to renewing Zionism for our time. A Major (Res.) in the IDF Commando Brigade with more than 370 reserve days since October 7, he has combined frontline service with groundbreaking civic initiatives from founding Desert Stars, which cultivates Bedouin leadership in the Negev, to co-founding the Shoresh Fund, which invests in ventures strengthening Israel's resilience. A graduate of Harvard Kennedy School, he also secured a landmark settlement that forced Harvard to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism. Today, as a founding leader of El HaDegel, Yaffe is helping shape a new Zionist movement born from the fire of October 7th: one country, one people, united by collective responsibility and equal service, determined to break the cycle of left-versus-right tribalism and rebuild Israel on the foundations of security, shared sacrifice, and moral clarity of our moral right to live as free people in the land of Israel. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.stateoftelaviv.com/subscribe

Every month on Pathways, host Aaron Millar and producer Jason Paton crack open a few stories, play their favorite clips, and take you on a whirlwind preview of what's coming up this month on Armchair Explorer. It's part travel hangout, part behind-the-scenes, and a whole lot of part “wait, you did what?” Special Offer: we've revived our ⁠NEWSLETTER!⁠ (scroll to the bottom of our homepage to signup) And contact us for a free copy of our fearless leader Aaron Millar's ebook:  ⁠The 50 Greatest Wonders of the World⁠ Award-winning travel journalist Aaron Millar reveals the greatest wonders of the world and the insider secrets on how to see them. From where to catch the perfect sunrise over the Grand Canyon to how to swim up to the very edge of the Victoria Falls, this is a road map for discovering the greatest experiences of your life.  This Month on Pathways: Stargazing with the Bedouin in the Arabian DesertNight has fallen over the Arabian desert, pillows and blankets are laid out in the sand, and our guide, Badrea, begins to share the secrets of bedouin stars ‘Giggly Landings' in a Hot Air BalloonEver wondered what it feels like to crash land a balloon in the middle of a UNESCO heritage site? Turns out it's surprisingly funny. In the Footsteps of J.R.R Tolkien in SwitzerlandDiscover the hike that inspired Tolkien's Lord of the Rings … and a swiss mountain hut, that might just be the coolest place to stay in the alps. Hamming it up in a Kyrgyzstani JailCurious how to survive in a Kyrgyzstani prison? In the middle of his 16,000-mile trek around the world, Arjun Bhogle learns how …  Busking for your Supper in SpainCelebrated adventurer Alastair Humphreys takes on his most daunting challenge yet: 500-miles across Spain with nothing but busking and bad violin playing to pay for his food Ready to Explore?If you're into real stories of epic places told by the people who've lived them, make sure to subscribe—that way you choose the adventure, not the algorithm.  Instagram: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠ Facebook: ⁠@armchairexplorerpodcast⁠ ⁠Armchair Explorer⁠ is produced by ⁠Armchair Productions⁠. Aaron Millar and Jason Paton presented the show, Charles Tyrie did the audio editing and sound design. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tal Oran has dedicated himself to highlighting the rich, often overlooked diversity of Israeli society - amplifying voices from Mizrahi, Ethiopian, Druze, Samaritan, and Bedouin communities to name a few. Tal works to reshape the global image of Israel and combat disinformation from the ground up.For more, you can follow the show on Instagram @GraceforimpactpodcastProduced by Peoples Media Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Enjoy this week's episode with Bulgarian Dj & producer DiMO (BG). DiMO BG's inspiration comes from the moments he spends in the studio producing his own tracks and traveling around the world exploring diversity of cultures and their music. Every year the name DiMO (BG) is associated with approximately 20 releases, signed by the likes of well-established labels such as: Hurry Up Slowly, Afrodise, Sunset Gathering, Make The Girls Dance, Defected, Redolent, Bercana, Go Deeva, Wired etc. as well as for his very own "Katun Tribe" imprint. Honed his craft as a DJ performing at Dubai, Ibiza, Bali, Minorca, Toronto, Sonar Barcelona, Ministry of Sound, Cyprus, Egg London, Maidstone, Greece, Romania while being resident more than 14 years in a #1 club in Bulgaria. His strongly distinctive and impactful tracks, full of energy, groove and quite often a memorable message has gained him support from industry heavyweights such as Hugel, Mestiza, Bedouin, Chus, La Santa. Amrita (FR) - Sweet Makala Steve Angello, AN21, Modern Tales - Darkness In Me (AN21 Remix) Andreatens - Chosen Manu BS, Luis Kill - Right Here Ape Drums, LUCH - FFM Felipe Puertes - Dope Shit (Darmon & Baron FR Rework) Marco Dily - Teardrop feat. Aminu (DiMO (BG) Remix) REDOLENT Valeron - Teke Mestiza - Yalili (DiMO (BG) & Diass Remix) House Of TUNEMAN, Bid on us - Lagos Cincity - Voulez Vous DiMO (BG) - Trippin 001 DiMO (BG) - Move This show is syndicated & distributed exclusively by Syndicast. If you are a radio station interested in airing the show or would like to distribute your podcast / radio show please register here: https://syndicast.co.uk/distribution/registration

Our Bucket List episodes showcase the greatest travel experiences on the planet. Today, we're going to the deserts of Arabia to go stargazing with the Bedouin and learn their secrets of the stars. This episode is about learning to see the stars through the eyes of a people who have lived in the Arabian desert for thousands of years, and whose very existence, and survival,l was shaped by the night sky. Recorded on location in our immersive documentary style, this episode is a chance to hear the Bedouin's stories of the sky. For it is through those stories of love, tragedy and revenge that they passed down the secrets of ancient astronomy. When we look at the night's sky we see fiery distant suns and orbiting planets. When they look at it, they see poetry, and the whole gamut of human experience written into each far off sparkling light. Let's set the scene: We have travelled for two hours into the El Harameal desert, from the oasis town of Alula, in Saudi Arabia, a place that few outsiders have seen before. Blankets and pillows are laid out in the sand, night has fallen, and a young Saudi woman named Badrea begins to speak… FIND OUT MORE If you enjoyed this episode, check out our full documentary series which we recorded on location: the Elements of Alula. Our first three episodes: water, earth and air were out last year. It was an incredible trip filled with ancient heritage sites, insane adventures, Arabian horses and one hot air balloon crash that turned out to be the most we've laughed on any trip.  Find out more about the destination at ExperienceAlula.com. Check out @experiencealula on Instagram, Facebook and X for more inspiration and ideas. SPONSORS: This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at ⁠betterhelp.com/ARMCHAIR⁠ and get on your way to being your best self. This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the link below: ⁠https://link.chtbl.com/r7CGsP51 CONNECT WITH US If you enjoy the show, please subscribe on whatever podcast player you're reading this on right now. Go on, do it. It means you get to choose what episodes you listen to, rather than the algorithm guessing (wrongly) and kicking us off your feed.    Following the show on socials will definitely maybe bring you good travel karma! Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe now for the full episode! Derek welcomes back historian Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi for a discussion about developments in Syria under the new government, which toppled that of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. They talk about the massacres of Alawites at the beginning of this year, the non-governmental militias still operating in the country, clashes between Druze and Bedouin armed groups in the southern city of Suwayda, Israeli involvement, Syrian Democratic Forces activity in the northeast of the country and Turkey's role, and whether the government under Ahmed al-Sharaa can make a “Syria for all Syrians.” Check out Aymenn's book The Conquest of al-Andalus: a Translation of Fath al-Andalus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In July, a brutal highway hijacking in southern Syria sparked tit-for-tat clashes between Druze and Bedouin fighters. During the week-long violence, over a thousand people were killed and more than 125,000 displaced. Syrian government forces and Israel also entered the conflict.The latest hostilities come less than a year after Syrians celebrated the end of dictatorship and the promise of renewal. The resurgence of sectarian violence raises urgent questions about interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa's leadership and whether his government can truly unify a fractured nation.This week on The Inquiry, we're asking: What does Syria's recent conflict tell us about Al-Sharaa's presidency?Presenter: Tanya Beckett Producer: Matt Toulson Researcher: Evie Yabsley Editor: Tara McDermott Technical Producer: Richard HannafordContributors: Dr Rim Turkmani, Research Fellow at Director of Syria Conflict Research Programme (CRP)Makram Rabah, Assistant professor of history at the American University of BeirutDr Rahaf Aldoughli, Middle East and North African Studies at Lancaster UniversityDr Burcu Ozcelik, Senior Research Fellow for Middle East Security at the Royal United Services Institute

Kate Adie introduces stories from Syria, Lebanon, Chile, Pakistan and France.Sectarian violence has erupted again in Syria, this time between Druze and Bedouin communities, leaving hundreds of people dead. The country's interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, blamed the violence on ‘outlawed factions' and has vowed to protect the Druze. Though as Jon Donnison heard in the Druze-majority town of Suweida, locals are also blaming government forces for the violence.Meanwhile in Lebanon, thousands of Alawite Syrians - the same Shia Muslim sect of the former President Bashar al-Assad - have fled across the border in recent months to escape a previous bout of sectarian violence which broke out back in March. Emily Wither travelled to Tripoli where she met young Alawites looking to define themselves beyond the Assad regime.In Chile we visit a ghost town in the Atacama Desert as it's brought back to life for one day a year. Former residents of Chuquicamata return to where they once lived for an annual party - though the former mining town is now too polluted for humans to live in. Robin Markwell paid a visit.In the Pakistan province of Punjab, authorities have launched a crackdown against people keeping big cats like lions and tigers as household pets. The BBC's Pakistan correspondent Azadeh Moshiri joined wildlife rangers on a raid on an illegal big cat farm.And we're in Marseille where a group of eminent restaurateurs have come together to protect the heritage of a much-treasured French dish - Bouillabaisse. Rob Crossan went to sample a bowl, to see if it lives up to the hype.Series Producer: Serena Tarling Production Coordinators: Sophie Hill & Katie Morrison Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

Subscribe now to skip the ads. Don't forget to buy our “Welcome to the Crusades” miniseries! Danny and Derek also rail against the war pigs, but lack the heavy riffs. This week: the International Court of Justice rules that wealthy nations must take action on climate change or bear responsibility (1:20); clashes escalate on the Thai-Cambodian border (4:08); a ceasefire holds in Syria's Suwayda province after clashes between Druze and Bedouin groups (9:06); in Israel-Palestine, Gaza's starvation reaches catastrophic levels (13:19) as ceasefire talks barely limp along (16:23); Iran is reengaging with the International Atomic Energy Agency (20:49); the Democratic Republic of the Congo and M23 militant group sign a declaration of intent (23:05); in Ukraine, a new round of peace talks achieves little (25:24) while Zelensky responds to protests over corruption (28:27); Venezuela, the US, and El Salvador carry out a prisoner exchange amid accusations of torture (31:38); the Japan House of Councillors holds an election while PM Ishiba looks likely to resign (33:32); and Japan, the Philippines, and Indonesia make trade deals (36:10). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last week, we witnessed the eruption of violent aggression on behalf of the Syrian government and local Bedouin tribes against Syria's southern Druze community, leaving more than 1,400 people dead. The Druze are a community that also has deep roots in Israel, and over 1,000 Israeli Druze citizens crossed the Israel-Syria border to support their […]

Don't forget to buy our “Welcome to the Crusades” miniseries!Danny and Derek also rail against the war pigs, but lack the heavy riffs. This week: the International Court of Justice rules that wealthy nations must take action on climate change or bear responsibility (1:20); clashes escalate on the Thai-Cambodian border (4:08); a ceasefire holds in Syria's Suwayda province after clashes between Druze and Bedouin groups (9:06); in Israel-Palestine, Gaza's starvation reaches catastrophic levels (13:19) as ceasefire talks barely limp along (16:23); Iran is reengaging with the International Atomic Energy Agency (20:49); the Democratic Republic of the Congo and M23 militant group sign a declaration of intent (23:05); in Ukraine, a new round of peace talks achieves little (25:24) while Zelensky responds to protests over corruption (28:27); Venezuela, the US, and El Salvador carry out a prisoner exchange amid accusations of torture (31:38); the Japan House of Councillors holds an election while PM Ishiba looks likely to resign (33:32); and Japan, the Philippines, and Indonesia make trade deals (36:10).Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Watch Call me Back on YouTube: youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastCheck out Ark Media's other podcasts: For Heaven's Sake: lnk.to/rfGlrA‘What's Your Number?': lnk.to/rbGlvMFor sponsorship inquiries, please contact: callmeback@arkmedia.orgTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: arkmedia.org/Ark Media on Instagram: instagram.com/arkmediaorgDan on X: x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: instagram.com/dansenorTo order Dan Senor & Saul Singer's book, The Genius of Israel: tinyurl.com/bdeyjsdnToday's Episode: Last week, we witnessed the eruption of violent aggression on behalf of the Syrian government and local Bedouin tribes against Syria's southern Druze community, leaving more than 1,400 people dead. The Druze are a community that also has deep roots in Israel, and over 1,000 Israeli Druze citizens crossed the Israel-Syria border to support their brothers and sisters being attacked.In response, Israel launched a series of strikes against military facilities in Damascus, prompting widespread global criticism. As of Saturday, all sides have agreed to a ceasefire. However, we are still seeing reports and videos on social media of Druze being attacked in Southern Syria.Many are asking what to make of Syria's new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former Al Qaeda affiliate who claims to have moderated. People are also wondering to what extent Turkey – a supporter of the new Syrian regime – played a role in what's unfolded in Syria.  Joining us to discuss – and at points, debate – these complex questions are Charles Lister, senior fellow and director of the Syria Initiative at the Middle East Institute, and Hay Eitan Cohen Yanarocak, researcher of modern-day Turkey at the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies at Tel Aviv University.(00:00) Introduction(05:05) What happened in Syria?(11:16) The involvement of Turkey(15:06) The U.S. response to Israel's intervention in Syria (31:20) Turkey's ambition(37:51) Did Israel make a mistake?(43:45) OutroCREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorMARIANGELES BURGOS - Additional EditingMAYA RACKOFF - Operations DirectorGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

Miriam Herschlag and Noah Efron discuss (1) The dramatic moments this week when hundreds of Druze from Israel crossed into Syria to help Druze in Suwayda under attack by Bedouin militia and the Syrian army, and hundreds of Druze from Suwayda crossed into Israel to see relatives they had not seen in a generation, and (2) A percussive essay by Ezra Klein called “Why American Jews No Longer Understand One Another.” Plus, the “Admor of Hope,” Miriam doing drugs, Noah seeing shows and a heartbreaking new record by a brother who lost a brother in Gaza. Hear the Extra-Special, Special Extra Segment on Patreon For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion: What are “the Three Weeks” like in these ash-and-sackclothy times?

There have been further clashes in Syria's Suweida province where gunmen from the Bedouin community have continued to target the Druze minority in defiance of a ceasefire. Also today: another twist in the complex relationship between Rupert Murdoch and Donald Trump; and a symphonic tribute to The Beatles.(Photo: Bedouin fighters stand in the back of a truck at an Internal Security Forces checkpoint working to prevent Bedouin fighters from advancing towards Suweida, following renewed fighting between Bedouin fighters and Druze gunmen, despite an announced truce, in Walgha, Suweida province, Syria July 19, 2025. Credit: REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi)

Renewed clashes between Bedouin tribesmen and members of the minority Druze Community have erupted in the south of Syria. A war monitoring group says there's been fighting and shelling in neighbourhoods of the mainly Druze city of Suweida. We'll hear from Damascus and get a US view of Israel's policy.Also, why President Trump and some of his most loyal supporters are at odds over the late, disgraced financier, Jeffrey Epstein.And some virtuoso piano playing from a performer born with only one hand.(Photo: Syria's interim president said government forces had expelled "outlaw groups" in Suweida. Credit: Reuters)

In our news wrap Friday, Brazil's Supreme Court has ordered former President Jair Bolsonaro to wear an ankle monitor during his trial, President Trump signed the first major legislation aimed at regulating cryptocurrencies into law, violence between Druze militias and Bedouin clans returned to Syria and flooding killed at least 57 people in Pakistan. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Watch Call me Back on YouTube: youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastCheck out Ark Media's other podcasts: For Heaven's Sake: lnk.to/rfGlrA‘What's Your Number?': lnk.to/rbGlvMFor sponsorship inquiries, please contact: callmeback@arkmedia.orgTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: arkmedia.org/Ark Media on Instagram: instagram.com/arkmediaorgDan on X: x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: instagram.com/dansenorTo order Dan Senor & Saul Singer's book, The Genius of Israel: tinyurl.com/bdeyjsdnToday's Episode: On Monday, the three Haredi parties in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition were presented with a draft of a new Haredi conscription bill, which they say did not satisfy their demands for military exemption for Haredi youth.This led two of the parties, Degel HaTorah and Agudat Yisrael, to leave Netanyahu's government on Monday, bringing the coalition down from 68 to 61 seats, which is the smallest possible majority in the 120 seat Knesset. On Wednesday, Shas, another Haredi party, announced its resignation from the government, but not from the coalition, leaving the coalition's majority at an extremely thin margin. In other news, over the past couple days, the new Syrian government led by Ahmed el-Sharaa, has been working alongside local Bedouin tribes to violently target Syria's southern Druze community. This has prompted around 1,000 Israeli Druze to breach the Israel-Syria border in an effort to join their brothers and sisters' struggle. In response to the Syrian government's actions, Israel launched a series of airstrikes targeting military infrastructure in Damascus.  To unpack the developments taking place in Netanyahu's government, as well as the chaos unfolding in Syria, we were joined by Call me Back contributors Nadav Eyal and Amit Segal.CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorMARIANGELES BURGOS - Additional EditingMAYA RACKOFF - Operations DirectorGABE SILVERSTEIN - ResearchYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer