Podcasts about Belgians

Belgian entertainer Kevin Van Doorslaer, actor, writer and director, has performing in his DNA as a fifth generation carny. He has a new movie out that is picking up awards on the festival circuit. He also founded the Acting Studio Brussels. He speaks with us about all of it including the importance of family. www.actingstudiobrussels.com

Buy/Stream: https://overview.fanlink.tv/OVR118-Phase Widely acclaimed Belgian producer Phase steps forward for his Overview Music debut, the incredible ‘Blinded EP'. No stranger to heavy club orientated Drum & Bass, Phase embarks further into this territory, experimenting with new mid range led synth work, resulting in some of his most aggressive yet distinct music yet. Out 14.11 Phase Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/phasednb Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/phasednb Soundcloud → https://soundcloud.com/phasednb Overview Music Patreon → https://patreon.com/overview Facebook → https://facebook.com/overviewuk Instagram → https://instagram.com/overviewuk Soundcloud → https://soundcloud.com/overviewuk YouTube → https://youtube.com/@OverviewMusic

As we gear up for the CAF African Schools Football Championship | COSAFA Qualifier in Stellenbosch from December 5-7, we shine a spotlight on youth development and pathways in national teams for young players. Renowned development coach Shawn Bishop, who is currently at Belgian champions Union St Gilloise, will speak at the upcoming COSAFA High Performance & Coaching Seminar Series, an online platform for Member Associations to engage on various development topics.Bishop will present on ‘National Team Pathways & Modern Football Trends', and the CAF African Schools Football Championship is the very start of the journey in international football for Boys and Girls who take part in the Under-15 competition.Their journey from here will hopefully take them through Under-17 and Under-20 national teams, to the senior international level. Bishop shares his insights on development in the COSAFA region, what is our potential and how Member Associations can upgrade their development initiatives to make them more competitive in the future.

Today we're sitting down with the Flory family — Kevin, his wife, and their kids, Grant and Lauren — who've made an exciting return to the show ring with their  Belgian horses. For the Florys, this isn't just about competition, it's a family affair built on hard work, teamwork, and a lifelong passion for draft horses.Kevin's story is impressive in its own right — as a high school student, he was already running his own business with employees on the payroll. That same drive and determination shows up today in how his family works together to build and grow their Belgian program and maintain their family business.We'll talk about what brought them back to the show ring, the lessons they've learned along the way, and how they balance business, family, and a whole lot of horsepower.Thank you to our sponsors of Episode #137!Shipshewana Harness & Supplies Glenwood Snacks Pennwoods Equine Products INC. The Draft Horse Journal Saginaw Valley Equine ClinicSummit Professional ServicesDo you have suggestions for future episodes? Do you have ideas of someone we should have join us? Please send us any comments or questions to the Rinehold Tack & Western Wear mailbag at podcast@naclassicseries.com!

The boys drink and review Raison Dêtre, a Belgian brown ale from Dogfish, then discuss the Charlie Kirk assassination and his legacy. Charlie Kirk was an amazing man. He could go into enemy territory and take on all comers. When he took questions from a crowd, he would invite the people who disagreed with him to the front of the line. Is there anyone like that on the left? What did the Charlie Kirk assassination say about America? What did it say about the right and the left? Who will be Charlie's successor? How has his death changed the conservative movement?

SummaryIn this episode, Tim Hamilton and George O'Connor dive into the 1988 Belgium horror comedy 'Rabid Grannies.' They explore the film's plot, character dynamics, and the unique aspects of Belgian cinema. The conversation touches on the film's practical effects, the chaos that ensues when the grannies turn into monsters, and the aftermath of the horrific events. They also reflect on the themes of the film, compare it to other horror classics, and discuss the potential for a sequel.TakeawaysRabid Grannies is a unique blend of horror and comedy.The film is notable for its practical effects and over-the-top gore.Character dynamics play a crucial role in the film's narrative.The transformation of the grannies is a pivotal moment in the story.The film critiques familial greed and betrayal.Belgium's film industry is less known for horror compared to other countries.The movie's runtime is surprisingly short at just over an hour.The grannies' ability to mimic voices adds a layer of horror.The conversation highlights the importance of story in horror films.Tim and George express a desire for a sequel to Rabid Grannies.Follow Tim on letterboxd!https://letterboxd.com/search/tjhamilton/See the Seddy Bimco watchlist! Email us at seddybimcoe@gmail.com Most art by Tim Hamilton Music by Tim Hamilton Check out the Seddy website. Website: https://www.seddy-bimco-part-2-the-re... Links: https://linktr.ee/seddybimco Check out George O'Connor's books: https://www.georgeoconnorbooks.com/ Check out Tim Hamilton's books: https://timhamiltonrwf.gumroad.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Comedian Beth Stelling gets us fantasizing about tall Belgian bodybuilders who throw tables to let their feelings out. It's 100 degrees out and the Korean soft porn is on ... let's get petty!Go to Beth's upcoming show! (Fri Nov 21 / Sat Nov 22)Or Ceara's! (Sun Nov 16)Petty Crimes is hosted by Ceara Jane O'Sullivan and Griff Stark-EnnisHave a crime that should be heard in Petty Crimes Court? Submit it at pettycrimespodcast@gmail.comKeep up with us on Instagram and TikTok for crime evidence, events, BTS, and other petty bullsh*t…This episode was produced and edited by Riley MadinceaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dive into the magnificent seven-year reign of Eden Hazard at Chelsea. We break down the Belgian magician's iconic flair, his mesmerizing dribbling masterclass, and how he became the unpredictable heart of two title-winning teams. From PFA Player of the Year glory to the famous solo goals, discover the stats and stories behind the winger who turned football into performance. Was Hazard the most entertaining player of his generation?Eden Hazard, Chelsea FC, Premier League Legend, Dribbling Masterclass, PFA Player of the Year

For today's premiere we have the return of the poison dart frog aka GIFKIKKER, the Belgian imprint with whom we spoke a few months ago for our Label Spotlight series. Known for having a razor sharp, psychedelic edge as well as a deep connection to the natural world, they takes things in a softer direction this time with some light & airy drum & bass. You never quite know what to expect from the collective but they work hard to create a common thread of atmospheric consistency which really shows. They're also committed to showcasing local talent bubbling within the Belgian scene. The 4-track EP is the debut from Belgian newcomer Blossoms Overnight. The first track on the release, ‘Aumira', is a beautiful deep breath of ambience with sparse, floaty breakbeats peppered throughout & a steady dubby groove. It's a track for those moments when the sun just starts to come up over the horizon in the early hours of the morning, ushering in warmth & the promise of a new day. The EP includes a remix from a fellow Belgian artist a.brehme which was premiered recently by our friends over at Oslated. ‘GIFKIKKER011' is set to release digitally on November 14th. @blossomsovernight @gifkikker-bxl https://www.instagram.com/gifkikker_bxl/ Write up by @aspetuckmusic Follow us on social media: @itsdelayed linktr.ee/delayed www.delayed.nyc www.facebook.com/itsdelayed www.instagram.com/_____delayed www.youtube.com/@_____delayed Contact us: info@delayed.nyc

Day 1,356Today, after weekend strikes on energy facilities in both countries left blackouts in Russia and Ukraine, we report how Moscow now seems to be deliberately targeting Ukrainian nuclear plants well away from the front line, how Britain is sending military personnel to defend Belgian skies, and later we have an interview with Dr Jack Watling, Senior Research Fellow for Land Warfare at the Royal United Services Institute, in which he describes Ukraine's adaptation of battlefield tactics.ContributorsDominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.With thanks to Dr Jack Watling, Senior Research Fellow for Land Warfare at the Royal United Services Institute. @Jack_Watling on X.SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.CONTENT REFERENCED:Dr Jack Watling's New RUSI Report - 'Emergent Approaches to Combined Arms Manoeuvre in Ukraine':https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/insights-papers/emergent-approaches-combined-arms-manoeuvre-ukrainePokrovsk: Where Putin Shattered His Teethhttps://cepa.org/article/pokrovsk-where-putin-shattered-his-teeth/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=emailLISTEN TO THIS PODCAST IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Silicon Bites Ep267 | News Update - Day 1,354 - 2025-11-08 | AI fakes try to poison Ukraine's mobilization debate; Washington grants Budapest a carve-out on Russian energy; Kyiv's defence industry talks up its potential with $30–35 billion in long-range output for 2026; the EU tightens visa screws on Russian nationals; Pokrovsk hangs in the balance; mysterious drones snarl Belgian airspace; and Germany's AfD faces “sleeper cell” accusations on the Bundestag floor. Let's try to anchor ourselves amidst the apparent chaos. “AI soldiers” and the mobilization disinfo surge. A new wave of AI-generated “soldier” videos — young men pleading that they're being “forced” to the front — has flooded TikTok, X, and Telegram in multiple languages this week. The goal: erode trust in Ukraine's leadership, spook families, and fracture Western support. (The Kyiv Independent) Despite the crudity and absurdity of many of the videos, some will be fooled, and it provides fodder for Kremlin assets and useful idiots to ‘flood the zone'.----------SOURCES: Kyiv Independent — “AI soldiers: How deepfakes are manipulating Ukraine's mobilization narrative” (Nov. 7, 2025)Kyiv Independent — “Zelensky blames ex-energy chief…” (Nov. 7, 2025)Kyiv Independent — “Ukraine estimates its long-range weapon production at over $30 billion in 2026” (Nov. 7, 2025)Interfax-Ukraine (summary of the same briefing) (Nov. 7, 2025)AP News — “Orbán says Trump will not punish Hungary for buying Russian energy…” (Nov. 7, 2025)The Guardian — “Trump–Orbán meeting: US gives Hungary exemption from sanctions on Russian oil and gas” (Nov. 7, 2025)European Commission (DG HOME) — Implementing decision on multiple-entry visas for Russian nationals (Nov. 7, 2025). ([Migration and Home Affairs)Reuters — “EU toughens visa rules for Russians” (Nov. 7, 2025)Kyiv Independent — “Ukraine's defense of Pokrovsk on a knife-edge…” (Nov. 6, 2025)AP News — “Drone sightings halt flights at major European cargo airport in Belgium” (Nov. 8, 2025)Al Jazeera — “Belgium's Liège airport temporarily halts flights after new drone sighting” (Nov. 7, 2025)The Guardian — “Belgium to hold security meeting after drone sightings… (source says Russia ‘very probably' responsible)” (Nov. 6, 2025)Euronews — “Lawmakers accuse AfD of spying… ‘sleeper cell loyal to Russia'” (Nov. 6, 2025)----------This is super important. There are so many Battalions in Ukraine, fighting to defend our freedoms, but lack basics such as vehicles. These are destroyed on a regular basis, and lack of transport is costs lives, and Ukrainian territory. Autumn Harvest: Silicon Curtain (Goal€22,000)https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/autumn-harvest-silicon-curtain----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------

The boys review a fascinating round of Champions League football, as Real Madrid struggle mightily at Anfield, forcing another historic performance from their legendary goalkeeper (4:22), and the Belgians take the fight to Barcelona in a wild end-to-end thriller (25:34). Plus, Mark gets you ready for Real Madrid's short trip to Vallecano on Sunday (54:03), and Payton dreads hobbled Barcelona's trip to Vigo (58:10). 

A decade after the Paris terror attacks that left 131 people dead and more than 400 wounded, the Belgian district of Molenbeek is trying to reinvent itself. The Brussels neighbourhood where several of the terrorists grew up is seeking to turn the page, while facing ongoing social and security challenges.

This week we look ahead to the CAF Women's Champions League, which starts on Saturday in Egypt, with some new names there and some more established ones too.We analyse the draw for the CAF Men's Champions League, with reigning champions Pyramids of Egypt and Confederation Cup winners RS Berkane of Morocco in the same group.We catch up on the FIFA U17 men's World Cup, with many of the African teams making a good start.And we speak to Benjamin Fredrick, the 20-year-old defender who has broken into the Nigeria national team, since being loaned from Brentford to Belgian side FCV Dender.

🔥 Q-ic is on fire — no doubt about it! The Belgian powerhouse keeps the momentum going, dropping one explosive release after another across multiple labels. Each track carries his unmistakable signature: pure drive, raw energy, and a sound that hits hard on every floor. With surgical precision, Q-ic fuses the hypnotic pulse of techno with the infectious bounce of jump — a crossover that's uniquely his. His latest weapon, “Feel It” on Yellow Fever, pushes that formula to the limit. Expect pounding kicks, razor-sharp grooves, and an irresistible rhythm that commands you to move. Turn it up. Feel it. Q-ic is back — and louder than ever. 🔊💥 Your music on Yellow Fever? Contact us through yellowfever@pieterleijten.com.

 Today on Consuming the Craft, I sat down with Jesse Phillips from Port City Brewing Company in Alexandria, Virginia. We took a deep dive into Port City's current lineup, including their much-lauded Oktoberfest, their adventurous lager series, and their limited-run Brewer's Cut releases. Jesse also shared his perspective on seasonal beer trends, local collaborations—especially with coffee roasters—and the importance of creative small batches in keeping both staff and customers excited. Throughout, Jesse brought a selection of impressive beers and joined me for a tasting of an exceptional bourbon, Eagle Rare, sparking conversations about pairing, palate development, and the joy of connecting over a shared craft. Jesse Phillips is the warehouse manager at Port City Brewing, where he oversees beer movements from production to the tasting room and helps track consumer preferences through his keen observations. Having started his brewing career at Port City, Jesse is passionate about expanding his palate through lagers and experimental releases. He has a talent for fostering local collaborations, especially with coffee roasters around the DMV, and is an advocate for seasonal and small-batch beers that surprise and delight customers. Jesse's energy and insider perspective brought unique insights into Port City's brewing philosophy and community-driven approach. "Something that I love about working at Port City...it's really opened up my palette to all these different lagers that I would never normally try." ~Jesse Phillips This Week on Consuming the Craft: ·     Port City Brewing has a robust seasonal and specialty beer program, including a lager series, Oktoberfest, and experimental styles like Doppelbock, Baltic Porter, and Schwarzbier. ·     Small-batch innovations are supported by the Brewer's Cut series, enabling creative combinations and limited releases. ·     The West Coast IPA is a recent standout, selling rapidly and reflecting a surge in customer demand for hop-forward beers. ·     Collaborations with local coffee roasters enhance Port City's porter offerings and foster strong community ties. ·     The brewery is expanding its sour lineup with balanced fruit blends, notably a watermelon gose and the upcoming Gobblestone, cranberry gose, for Thanksgiving. ·     Port City's Christmas Tidings beer is a Belgian strong ale brewed with Virginia honey, earning its reputation as a "makeout beer" for festive occasions. ·     Local connections, like food trucks and coffee roasters, are integral to Port City's identity and customer experience. ·     The brewery encourages responsible enjoyment and pairing of its products, supporting a culture of hospitality and craft appreciation.Contact for Jesse Phillips: Port City Brewing Company, 3950 Wheeler Ave, Alexandria, VA Port City Brewing WebsiteResources Mentioned: ·     Port City Brewing Company (lager series, Oktoberfest, Brewer's Cut releases) ·     Swings Coffee, Hypergoat Coffee, Continuum Coffee (collaborating roasters) ·     Eagle Rare Kentucky Bourbon (Buffalo Trace) ·     Riverbend Malt Company • Oak and Grist Distillery (Asheville, NC) ·     Zillicoah Beer Company, Alluvium, Diatribe (Asheville locations) ·     La Tangaria Food Truck (on-site at Port City, top-rated tacos) This episode is brought to you by… McConnell Farms - Taste the Way You Remember. Enjoy homemade ciders and ice cream made from only the best produce on the market. Visit the McConnell Farms website to learn more about our seasonal inventory and the delicious creations you can make with our homegrown produce. Consuming the Craft Thanks for tuning into this week's Consuming the Craft Podcast episode, brought to you by AB Tech's Craft Beverage Institute of the Southeast. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart | Amazon Podcasts | TuneIn | Pandora | Deezer  Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more craft beverage enthusiasts. To learn more about AB Tech and the Craft Beer Institute of the Southeast, visit our website.

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OTON's Alliance returns with 9-track album ‘Fiber Bundle' from Parisian artist Solma. We highlighted the Belgian imprint & party series a few weeks ago with OTON's own album & now OTON takes on the role of mastering engineer this time around. Solma has been bubbling within the vibrant French psychedelic scene for a couple of years. He launched his own label Virtual Forest Records with two friends in 2021 & kicked it off with an EP of his own. Since then he's released on a number of other labels including Crescent London, Melifera sub-label Polën who we'll be featuring in our Label Spotlight interview series soon, & Jan Swam's Organic Signs, where he released his debut album ‘The Consciousness Of Plants' at the start of this year. ‘Fiber Bundle' has this fierce, haunting atmosphere throughout the entirety of the release. The only beatless track on the album, ‘Skaub' sets the tone for what's to come & pulls you in right away, painting the picture of a cold & distant landscape. It evokes imagery of some kind of ice-covered otherworldly lifeform, part organic & part machine, taking deep breaths of a gassy alien atmosphere. Solma's ‘Fiber Bundle' will be available both digitally & on CD from November 7th on Alliance Records. @solmadj www.instagram.com/solma.als @allianceclub www.instagram.com/allianceclub_/ Write up by @aspetuck Follow us on social media: @itsdelayed linktr.ee/delayed www.delayed.nyc www.facebook.com/itsdelayed www.instagram.com/_____delayed www.youtube.com/@_____delayed Contact us: info@delayed.nyc

With the 2025 road racing season now firmly in the rear view mirror, join Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie for a freewheeling ramble through some of the big stories that have hit the headlines in the past couple of weeks. We start by discussing the fragile nature of survival at World Tour level with the news that the Australian team Jayco-Alula came within days of possibly folding, and the delays to confirmation that two Belgian teams, Lotto and Intermarché, intend to become one. Where does that leave the riders, especially Intermarché's biggest star Biniam Girmay? Then we indulge in a bit of off-season speculation and wonder what Tadej Pogačar's 2026 season might look like, particularly with a number of race organisers making changes seemingly to entice the SlovAlien to ride. The Vuelta a España starting in his adopted home town of Monaco is not a particularly subtle overture and it seem an appealing prospect but, as we discuss, the picture is more complicated than that. Follow us on social media: Twitter @cycling_podcast Instagram @thecyclingpodcast Friends of the Podcast Sign up as a Friend of the Podcast at thecyclingpodcast.com to listen to new special episodes every month plus a back catalogue of more than 300 exclusive episodes. The 11.01 Cappuccino Our regular email newsletter is now on Substack. Subscribe here for frothy, full-fat updates to enjoy any time (as long as it's after 11am). The Cannibal & Badger Friends of the Podcast can join the discussion at our new virtual pub, The Cannibal & Badger. A friendly forum to talk about cycling and the podcast. Log in to your Friends of the Podcast account to join in. The Cycling Podcast is on Strava The Cycling Podcast was founded in 2013 by Richard Moore, Daniel Friebe and Lionel Birnie.

Terence, Hesketh and Albert are back with tales from the continent — Albert's trip to Lecce vs Napoli and Terence's Belgian football pilgrimage to Dender vs Royal Olympic Charleroi, complete with an unexpected encounter with the Lord of the Dance cast while watching Liverpool vs Palace in a Gent Irish bar.The lads relive the Sarr-inspired win at Anfield, weigh up the fixture pile-up caused by Palace's Carabao Cup progress, and celebrate Palace's 100th Premier League home win, fuelled by Lerma's standout display in the 2-0 triumph over Brentford. They wrap up with a look ahead to AZ Alkmaar and Brighton. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's all going wrong in Antwerp! The lads chat through who is to blame for the current situation at the Great Old and what the future might hold for the club. They also talk about Max Dean's antics against OH Leuven and player's of the week (some for better reasons than others!). They then talk second tier action and even take a brief look into the third tier of Belgian football!

Buy/Stream: https://overview.fanlink.tv/OVR118-Phase Widely acclaimed Belgian producer Phase steps forward for his Overview Music debut, the incredible ‘Blinded EP'. No stranger to heavy club orientated Drum & Bass, Phase embarks further into this territory, experimenting with new mid range led synth work, resulting in some of his most aggressive yet distinct music yet. Out 14.11 Phase Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/phasednb Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/phasednb Soundcloud → https://soundcloud.com/phasednb Overview Music Patreon → https://patreon.com/overview Facebook → https://facebook.com/overviewuk Instagram → https://instagram.com/overviewuk Soundcloud → https://soundcloud.com/overviewuk YouTube → https://youtube.com/@OverviewMusic

November 5, 2025 ~ Paul Glantz, CEO of Emagine Entertainment, joins Kevin after Emagine Entertainment announced it is being sold to the Belgian theater operator Kinepolis Group, in a deal valued at $105 million. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Brülosophy merch is now available - click here to see all we have to offer! Contributor Andy Carter joins Marshall to discuss mash temperature and particularly the impact it has on Belgian Golden Strong Ale. Become a Brülosophy Patron today and be rewarded for your support! | Relevant Article | Mash Temperature: Low Vs. High In A Belgian Golden Strong Ale xBmt

The U.S. government used to be the largest donor in family planning assistance at $400 million a year. There has been an explicit loss of U.S. leadership and resources in contemporary global health and foreign aid, with significant, negative impacts on supply and health outcomes. Anu Kumar, President and CEO at Ipas, sits down to talk with us about the current status of U.S. foreign assistance and how we can reimagine it for the better.The U.S. government has not been supporting abortion care for 50 years since the Helms Amendment was passed in 1973, and contraception has been facing increasing attacks. The campaign of incorrectly and harmfully equating contraceptives with abortifacients is coming to a head. In addition, there is $9.7 billion dollars' worth of contraception impacted by Trump's foreign aid freeze, which are now sitting in a Belgian warehouse. But we can imagine a more comprehensive, better performing foreign assistance: a reduced transactional quality and the ability for recipient countries to form their own assistance delivery.For more information, check out Pantsuit Politics: https://www.pantsuitpoliticsshow.com/s/podcastSupport the showFollow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Bluesky: @reprosfightback.bsky.social Buy rePROs Merch: Bonfire store Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

Silicon Bites Ep264 - Day 1,349 - 2025-11-03 | Washington trims forces in NATO's front line member state, causing concern in some quarters, and signalling weakness and withdrawal in the face of a revanchist Russia. This broad geopolitical canvas unfolds as Moscow hammers Ukraine's grid and Kyiv hits back, deep and hard, at Russia's fuel arteries. Drones stalk a base in Belgian thought to host U.S. nukes, China's refiners blink on Russian oil, and Brussels looks for a way to keep Ukraine's accession moving — whether Orbán tries to throw a spanner in the works or not. Is the U.S. easing off Europe's front line? Romania confirmed the first cut of U.S. troops on NATO's eastern flank — ending a rotating brigade spread across several countries and lowering numbers at Mihail Kogălniceanu air base to 1,000. (Reuters)----------SOURCES: EU Council – 19th Russia sanctions package (Oct 23, 2025)https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/10/23/19th-package-of-sanctions-against-russia-eu-targets-russian-energy-third-country-banks-and-crypto-providers/U.S. Treasury – Russia oil sanctions press release (Oct 2025)https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0290AP – Belgium: drones near Kleine-Brogel likely espionage (Nov 3, 2025)https://apnews.com/article/f58ee237a6b2f28e011391ff7fcaa8deReuters – Belgium probes drone sightings over military base (Oct 29, 2025)https://www.reuters.com/world/belgium-investigates-new-drone-sightings-over-military-base-2025-10-29/Kyiv Independent – EU Commission seeks to sustain Ukraine's accession momentum (Nov 3, 2025)https://kyivindependent.com/european-commission-seeks-political-signal-to-bypass-hungary-to-progress-technical-accession-work-with-ukraine/NV – Crimean Bridge bans EVs/hybrids (Nov 1, 2025)https://english.nv.ua/nation/russia-bans-electric-vehicles-from-crimean-bridge-50557189.htmlKyiv Independent – Mazda loses right to reclaim Russian assets (Nov 3, 2025)https://kyivindependent.com/mazda-first-automaker-to-lose-right-to-reclaim-russian-assets/----------SILICON CURTAIN FILM FUNDRAISERA project to make a documentary film in Ukraine, to raise awareness of Ukraine's struggle and in supporting a team running aid convoys to Ukraine's front-line towns.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------This is super important. There are so many Battalions in Ukraine, fighting to defend our freedoms, but lack basics such as vehicles. These are destroyed on a regular basis, and lack of transport is costs lives, and Ukrainian territory. Autumn Harvest: Silicon Curtain (Goal€22,000)https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/autumn-harvest-silicon-curtain----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------

Jimmy takes his talents to Times Square, NYC to have some drinks at BXL Cafe. There, he is joined by BXL owner Yves Michaels, Kyler Pollick from Brewery Ommegang, and frequent guest and brand developer, James Tai. Today's chat is focused on Belgian beer, how to maintain authenticity abroad, the popularity of Duvel, and exceptional mussel preparation. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Legacy and Hidden History of the Graces' Style. The full set of fashion plates documenting this radical style revolution was rediscovered at the Morgan Library after being incorrectly cataloged. The true story of this fashion was radical and had been "concealed from the world." The three women, known as the Graces, became world-famous celebrities. Josephine (Rose), who missed Napoleon "terribly" after their divorce, died in 1814. Teresia, a woman "in charge of her own sexuality" with five different fathers to her nine surviving children, married a Belgian prince and died a true princess. She was visited by figures like the Duke of Wellington after Waterloo. Juliet maintained her identity as a "perpetual virgin," serving as the pure white symbol until her death. Despite Napoleon forcing a separation, Teresia and Josephine tried hard to continue seeing each other. 1807 JOSEPHINE

In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:   The Trump administration is preparing a new operation against Mexico's powerful drug cartels. Plans are underway for U.S. troops and intelligence officers to cross into Mexico and target cartel leaders and drug labs on their home turf.   Later in the show—a new mystery in the skies over Europe. Drones have been spotted for two consecutive nights above a Belgian air base believed to house U.S. nuclear weapons. The country's defense minister calls it a “clear attack.”   To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Tax Relief Advocates: End your tax nightmare today by visiting us online at https://TRA.com   TriTails Premium Beef: Feed your legacy. Visit https://trybeef.com/pdb Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Simone Lerrante is a Belgian orphan whose memory is damaged by the trauma of her father being shot by Nazis and her subsequent escape to England. From 1940 to 2000, we see 9-year-old Simone standing through the long voyage and later through various perspectives of those whose lives she touches. From Sussex, she reaches New York and ends up across the states, married, divorced, and alone. She falls in love with literature, experiences new traumas, but cannot remember her early years. Over the years, she recalls snippets of the parents she loved, the life she escaped, and the people who saved her along the way. Janet Burroway's beautiful novel is a remarkable portrait of a fascinating woman. Janet Burroway is the author of poems, plays, essays, children's books, a memoir and nine novels, including The Buzzards; Raw Silk; Opening Nights; Cutting Stone (all Notable Books of NYTBR); and Simone in Pieces (Nov. 2025). Her Writing Fiction, the most widely used creative writing text in America, is now in a tenth edition; her four-genre text Imaginative Writing is in its fifth. Her plays have been produced and read in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and London. Her stories and poems appear in many literary magazines, including Prairie Schooner, New Letters, Narrative Magazine, and Five Points. She is Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor Emerita at Florida State University and winner of the Florida Humanities Lifetime Achievement Award. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Simone Lerrante is a Belgian orphan whose memory is damaged by the trauma of her father being shot by Nazis and her subsequent escape to England. From 1940 to 2000, we see 9-year-old Simone standing through the long voyage and later through various perspectives of those whose lives she touches. From Sussex, she reaches New York and ends up across the states, married, divorced, and alone. She falls in love with literature, experiences new traumas, but cannot remember her early years. Over the years, she recalls snippets of the parents she loved, the life she escaped, and the people who saved her along the way. Janet Burroway's beautiful novel is a remarkable portrait of a fascinating woman. Janet Burroway is the author of poems, plays, essays, children's books, a memoir and nine novels, including The Buzzards; Raw Silk; Opening Nights; Cutting Stone (all Notable Books of NYTBR); and Simone in Pieces (Nov. 2025). Her Writing Fiction, the most widely used creative writing text in America, is now in a tenth edition; her four-genre text Imaginative Writing is in its fifth. Her plays have been produced and read in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and London. Her stories and poems appear in many literary magazines, including Prairie Schooner, New Letters, Narrative Magazine, and Five Points. She is Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor Emerita at Florida State University and winner of the Florida Humanities Lifetime Achievement Award. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literature

When Brian and Sally Krichbaum bought Gilbert Chocolates in 2012, they had zero experience making or selling candy. Brian was a seasoned automotive engineer and consultant, while Sally was a freelance writer and stay-at-home mom. What they shared was a taste for challenge — and for good chocolate. Founded in 1893 and beloved by generations of Jackson, Michigan, residents, Gilbert Chocolates was a hometown treasure in need of fresh energy. The Krichbaums took on the task of modernizing operations and expanding distribution while preserving the small-batch, Belgian-style quality that defined the brand. Their journey wasn't easy. "I thought retail would be simple," Brian admits. "It's not — selling is hard." Sally adds that learning the rhythms of retail, hiring and training staff, and mastering the art of tempering chocolate all came with a steep learning curve. Today, Gilbert Chocolates is thriving, with multiple locations, a booming e-commerce business, and budding national partnerships. For the Krichbaums, success tastes sweet — not just because of the chocolate, but because they've proven that passion, persistence, and purpose can turn even the most unlikely entrepreneurs into hometown heroes. Monday Morning Radio is hosted by the father-son duo of Dean and Maxwell Rotbart. Photo: Brian and Sally Krichbaum, Gilbert ChocolatesPosted: November 3, 2025 Monday Morning Run Time: 57 minutes Episode: 14.22 Related Episodes: This Candy Man Can: Richard G. Ross Builds a Global Candy & Confections Empire Jack and Patti Phillips Can Teach Anyone to Show the Value of What You Do Carina Ramirez Cahan Worked with Her Husband to Build a Better Bra

What's harder to photograph: adrenaline-fueled Kid Jockeys in Indonesia, or the silent, restricted streets of North Korea? Today, we sit down with Belgian documentary photographer Alain Schroeder, traveling around the globe, looking for the next thing that piques his interest. He is honored for his amazing work with a long list of awards, including multiple World Press Photo awards, Picture of The Year, Travel Photographer of the Year, Visa pour l'image, Siena or Nikon Press Photo Awards, to name just a few, with of course countless major exhibitions around the world. Alain walks us through his incredible career shift—from covering 500 magazine sports covers, starting his own photo agency to dedicating his life to deep personal stories. We dive into the chaos of the Kid Jockeys in Sumbawa, the unique challenges of shooting Kim City in North Korea, and the resilient Grandma Divers (Haenyeo) of South Korea.  Tune in for a powerful, fun conversation with great advice on what separates an award-winning picture from an ordinary one, how to get your work seen these days, and how to stay creatively fresh after decades in the business. Enjoy it! *****

In this episode of the Western Front Association's Mentioned in Dispatches, Nick and Fiona Jenkins discuss their remarkable journey along the entire Western Front. In Walking the Line, they travelled over 1,000 kilometres from the Belgian coast to the Swiss border to discover what physical and emotional traces of the First World War still remain. With humour, resilience and a healthy dose of wine, they traversed former battlefields, forests, cemeteries and mountain passes, producing not only a travelogue but also a moving reflection on history, memory and the meaning of remembrance. Published by Wetsocks Books.

Dotun is joined by Nicky Bandini and David Cartlidge to unpack Kevin De Bruyne's latest setback - a hamstring injury picked up while taking a penalty for Napoli. Was the Belgian playmaker wrong to move to a league as intense as Serie A?Also on the agenda: will Jamie Vardy get going for Cremonese after scoring his first league goal? Could Valencia finally get relegated this season after years of walking the tightrope? And have Bayern Munich (yet again) unearthed a teenage sensation in Lennart Karl?Please fill out Stak's listener survey! It'll help us learn more about the content you love so we can bring you even more - you'll also be entered into a competition to win one of five PlayStation 5's! Click here: https://bit.ly/staksurvey2025Ask us a question on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy Halloween, Grit & Grain family! This week, we thought we'd dress up as a super serious political podcast. Just kidding! But we were indeed joined by the 10th District Representative and former Tacoma mayor,... The post Episode 165: Budget Battles and Belgian Beer w/Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland appeared first on Grit & Grain Podcast.

In this Halloween special of Future of UX, we explore the disturbing side of digital design where clever UX crosses into manipulation, AI tools launch without proper oversight, and personalization quietly erodes user autonomy.From real-life cases involving Snapchat's rogue chatbot to Amazon's subscription “traps” and a tragic AI-assisted suicide, this episode dives into the UX decisions and AI deployments that turned dark and what designers need to learn from them.These themes were at the core of powerful conversations in the most recent AI for Designers cohort, which just wrapped last week. If you're interested in digging deeper into ethical design, human-centered AI, and how to design with integrity — the next cohort starts in January 2026.Whether you're a UX designer, strategist, or just curious about the future of ethical tech: this is the episode you shouldn't skip.In this episode, we cover:Why dark patterns still dominate — and why they may soon become illegalWhat happens when AI tools roll out too fast (with no safety net)The emotional toll of designing features you don't believe inHow personalization is creating echo chambers and limiting human curiosityWhy “seamless” UX might be the most dangerous design trend of allActionable advice for spotting (and stopping) unethical product decisions

Doug McHoney (PwC's International Tax Services Global Leader) is joined by Pieter Dere, a partner in PwC Belgium's International Tax Services practice who leads Belgium's Pillar Two initiative and co‑hosts the Tax Bites Podcast. Doug and Pieter recorded in Prague at PwC's Global Transfer Pricing, Customs, and Indirect Tax Conference. They discuss Belgium's Pillar Two compliance landscape: 2024 applicability of QDMTT/IIR/UTPR, a late‑November 2025 filing cycle; the new e‑platform and XML‑only submissions; transitional safe harbors and JV scope; the ‘general representative' and joint and several liability; DAC 9 and the OECD MCAA; uncertainty around a G7 side‑by‑side and implications for US‑parented groups; estimated payments; Belgian litigation targeting UTPR; and practical steps to be ready now. 

Ahad Afridi, CMO for the Americas at Pladis, owner of Godiva, shares how the legacy chocolate house's “hundred-year reboot” is reshaping the brand for a new generation of snackers, particularly millennials and Gen Zers. Episode TranscriptPlease note, this transcript  may contain minor inconsistencies compared to the episode audio. Damian Fowler (00:00):I'm Damian Fowler.Ilyse Liffreing (00:01):And I'm Ilyse Liffreing,Damian Fowler (00:02):And welcome to this edition of The Big Impression.Ilyse Liffreing (00:09):Today we're joined by Ahad Afridi Chief Marketing Officer for the Americas at Pladis, the company behind the Godiva brand, those premium chocolates we all live.Damian Fowler (00:20):We're diving into Godiva's bold new campaign, featuring Leighton Meester portraying the legendary lady, good diver, a modern spin on an iconic story of courage and individuality.Ilyse Liffreing (00:31):We'll talk about how the brand is trying to stand out ahead of the holiday season and how Pladis is evolving its brands for the next generation of snackers.Ahad Afridi (00:40):Let's get into it. It's a comprehensive launch. It's a launch of a new product within the Godiva range called Masterpiece, but it's also the start of a brand reset. And so part of this has an eye towards the now of launching this new product that's great, but also towards activities that are going to happen over the next one year. Godiva turns 100 next year, and so what we wanted to accomplish was the first big step in this centennial, what we call re-imagining of the Godiva brand.Speaker 2 (01:17):Yeah, that's a legacy brand for sure.Speaker 3 (01:18):And happy birthday as well.Speaker 2 (01:20):Thank youSpeaker 3 (01:20):A hundred years. Thank you. Thank you to Godiva. On behalf of Godiva, I'd say thank you.Speaker 1 (01:26):Yeah. In that hundred, how would you define what Godiva stands for as a legacy brand over that century?Speaker 3 (01:34):Godiva is a premium chocolate brand. It's been called a luxury chocolate brand, but we prefer to call it premium because it makes it more accessible, which we can talk about a little bit more. It's a Belgian heritage brand. Belgian chocolates are different than the normal. Speaker 2 (01:51):That's good, in my opinion,Speaker 3 (01:53):Different than the normal chocolate milk-based chocolate, but it's just great tasting, high quality chocolate that you feel great giving to others as a gift and having for yourself as well.Speaker 1 (02:08):So just to ask you about this specific campaign, what made you wanted to bring that legacy as it were up to date? Is that the right way of putting it into today's culture through this campaign?Speaker 3 (02:18):Yeah, in a way. Let's say it's a hundred year reboot because turning a hundred, you have to celebrate your heritage, but reposition for the future. So it's about getting contemporary, bringing some of those traditional values and equities of the brand, but modernizing them for today and starting this, what we call re-imagining with totally new offerings coming over the next one to two years. We've started with what we call Masterpiece, and Masterpiece is a small chocolate piece that comes in a bag with multiple pieces in there, and it's great for sharing with others or treating yourself. So this is the first step. We've just launched this now it's in the market. In the next few weeks you'll see a totally reimagined what we call gold box and truffle box, which is high-end premium chocolate in specialty stores and on the giva.com website where we've totally revamped chocolate and got new offerings in that. So that's coming over the holiday period, Valentine's Day, there'll be another new collection coming next fall. Towards the end of the next year, we'll have some more gifting chocolates available that will be broadly available. And that's the start. And then after that, in the year 2027, we've got other exciting things coming in. So it's a sequenced campaign. Speaker 2 (03:47):Good timing for the holiday season, I'm sure.Speaker 3 (03:50):Exactly, exactly. Holiday seasons are important for us. Every day is important for us, but the holiday seasons are very important for us. Yes.Speaker 2 (03:58):Can you describe a little bit of the campaign itself and what viewers might see and experience as they witness the campaign?Speaker 3 (04:06):Yeah, I guess the first thing you'll see is a wonderful cinematic traditional sort of advertising, which has got some drama in it. It's got wonderful aesthetic, but at its heart it's a product centered ad and the product is celebrated in there, the taste of that. So that's let's say the hero piece or the centerpiece. But in addition, what you'll see is a lot of social content in different variations. You'll see different versions in digital tv. You'll see a billboard coming later, so some nice still art coming there. Now what's unique about this is we didn't look at it as just a specific campaign and a point of time. We look at this as a one year program where we're relaunching the brand. So you'll see Layton Meer again in the holiday periods, Valentine's period and throughout next year. WhySpeaker 1 (05:03):Leighton Meester? I mean, I know Ilyse is a fan.Speaker 2 (05:06):Oh yeah. I mean Gossip Girl lover obviously.Speaker 3 (05:10):Well, she's a great representation of some of the values of Lady Godiva and Lady Godiv was the, let's say the initial inspiration for the brand. It's obviously called Godiva. So she, lady Godiva played a big role in the identity of the brand. But Leighton Meester is someone that we respect a lot. She's very popular, she's highly likable, she's multifaceted, great actor, musician person who has her own specific identity, and we think that's a great person to partner with in thisSpeaker 2 (05:52):Now premium chocolate, that space is a pretty packed one. How does this campaign really help the brand stand out, especially as we head into those important holiday seasons?Speaker 3 (06:04):Yeah, so premium chocolate is a growing segment within overall chocolate. So certainly chocolate's a very broad area, so many different offerings, and premium is a very important segment within that. And there are different offerings within premium. We like to consider Godiva as the high end of the premium segment. And there's something special. It's like in a category full of square shapes and round shapes,Speaker 4 (06:32):You'veSpeaker 3 (06:33):Got Godiva coming in with something totally different. And if you see the Masterpiece product, you'll see it's a very unique sort of shape there. So we pride ourselves in being kind of the premium of the premium but being accessible. And it's our goal to provide unique offerings that really tastes great and are cut above the rest of premium, but yet at let's say a fingertip away from desire.Speaker 1 (07:04):When you say relaunch, what does that mean? Does it mean like you're trying to reach new audiences, new consumers? How are you thinking about the people you're trying to reach? And I guess that does tie in with getting a celebrity like Leighton Meester.Speaker 3 (07:21):Yeah, it's important for us to connect with a broader range of consumers, younger consumers. So we're trying to get millennials and Gen Zs now, which the brand hadn't really targeted before and over a hundred year period you will have a core cohort which will age over time, and we're making a purposeful effort to try and reach a broader audience. Now contemporize the brand and our activities around doing that,Speaker 2 (07:53):Does that also have to do with perhaps the decision to call it premium chocolate versus luxury chocolate or what is that thinking?Speaker 3 (08:02):Well, the category is divine is premium chocolate, but people say good dive is a luxury brand and sometimes people talk about chocolate as being luxury. I don't think chocolate should be luxury. Chocolate should be accessible as well. And so it's really around that. It's not a conscious big effort saying, Hey, call us premium. Don't call us luxury.Speaker 3 (08:23):You can call us what you want, but it's just great tasting chocolate that is accessible. And our key point is luxury is often reserved for special occasions or milestones and that's certainly fine, but could dive a chocolate is also accessible every day. A little bit of happiness and a little smile is an everyday treat that we all have a right to.Speaker 1 (08:50):My wife reminds me of that every day. She says, should we have a chocolate? Now she's a millennium. She'll be very happy if I give her a Godiva chocolate. Well, we have them here for you to try. Okay, well we will just pause the podcast.Speaker 1 (09:07):We right back anyway. So just to talk about PLAs. So good diver is one of the brands within Pladis and which has a big portfolio of snacking. I just want to talk a bit more about the consumer you're trying to reach. What kind of insights have really shaped how you think about this new strategy?Speaker 3 (09:30):Chocolate plays a meaningful role in people's everyday lives. It's not something that's only reserved for special occasions once or twice a year. And so what we see is that people need, if you look at what we call a demand space map of consumers needs and occasions during the day, there are many opportunities in there for us to provide little bits of happiness, little bits of indulgence, a treat for yourself that is accessible and that's important for us. That's an important insight. The second is that chocolate is more than a product, but it may provide an emotional benefit. It might make you feel good, it might help you connect with others. It might be a reboot for the rest of the day, three o'clock, little piece of chocolate it with a coffee or a cup of tea or something like that is fantastic. So we've mapped consumer occasions to see that that's important. So those are really two very important insights for us.Speaker 2 (10:38):Curious, now that the campaign is out, I know it's early days, but are there any KPIs that you're really keeping your eye on or your hopes around brand impact that you're going to get from this campaign?Speaker 3 (10:54):Yes. Well, we have a broad range of metrics that we look at. You can bucket them around awareness and visibility as one. Engagement. How consumers get involved is to sentiment, what are people saying and how do they feel about it. And then importantly, fourth but not least, is the commercial impact. What kind of sales impact do we have? How's it driving the business? And we're one week into the campaign,(11:20):So we don't have any of those metrics now, but we will be tracking them. But what we're very encouraged by is just the initial, let's say feedback, what people are saying, how much people are talking about it and what they're saying about it. And it's very, very positive what we're hearing about this. And even in this first week, we're seeing remarkable engagement. People are even reediting bits of the ad and combining it with Layton Meer in other roles. It's a very scene in one of her previous shows, which she's very famous for where she says, lady Godiva is my only friend. So we're getting recut edits of that with snippets of the new ad. So consumers are sending those back to us.Speaker 2 (12:09):Now. You've talked before about how storytelling is very key to building great brands. Has this campaign changed how you think about what really connects with today's consumers?Speaker 3 (12:22):I think this campaign will confirm what we think is important in storytelling. And for us, storytelling has got to be something that captures people's attention, draws some interest, so they stick with it and is something that they'll remember later on. And we are trying to find new ways to deliver that and create that impact. But within that, we have to embed elements of the brand and the product experience that's so important in that. And this first centerpiece ad is a wonderful example of that because it's a captivating ad, but at the heart it is a product brand centered ad. So I think that's very important is to combine those things.Speaker 1 (13:14):When we look at the sort of bigger shift, and you've sort of addressed this a little bit, but I'm just curious, we are in a moment of time where people are a little bit anxious in some cases about the economy and where things are going. How do you market into that where you're talking about the importance of premium at a time, that might be something where people would think, oh, should I, shouldn't I? How do you think about that?Speaker 3 (13:42):Well, the good thing about chocolate is it is something that's important every day or can be important every day. It should be accessible every day. And whether the economy goes up or it goes down, it's something that's there. And available chocolates, you were talking earlier about luxury. God, IVA is not a Hermes bag. You don't have to wait two months, or sorry, two years to get that. It's something there that you can have. And if it provides that little bit of lift, that smile on your face, that moment of connection, that's something that is important for people regardless of economic conditions. And if they're having some moments in life or particular experiences in life where they need a little pick me up even more than it plays an even bigger role. So it's our job to provide the right offerings, make them accessible and be available for them.Speaker 1 (14:45):Does it signal anything about how you might approach other Plaice brands? I know they're very different, but justSpeaker 3 (14:52):Yeah, we have multiple other brands around the world and some are chocolate, some are biscuits, some are cakes. And each brand has to find a way to tap into consumer desire. And our Pladis mission we say, is happiness in every bite. And that's what we're trying to deliver. And each brand has to try and deliver that in its own unique way.Speaker 2 (15:22):Now with a heritage brand such as Godiva, how are you still keeping it modern while staying true to its heritage? Because the snack worlds today is changing so fast, we have new wellness trends all the time, digital shopping, et cetera, et cetera.Speaker 3 (15:39):Well, it's such an important question because the challenge for every brand is to be relevant today. And what got you there in the heritage is helpful, but it doesn't necessarily deliver against what makes you relevant for today. It just makes people notice or gives you a little bit of credibility or trust. So a big part of this brand, re-imagining it a hundred years is about that. It's about contemporizing the brand, making sure that we stand out in today's world, that we're conveying those benefits that meet the needs of today's consumers, that we are using the right codes to communicate Kate and making it easy for consumers to notice us, to think about us, to remember us to desire us.Speaker 2 (16:33):How do you think about the way modern brands are going about marketing? Are there any interesting tidbits or trends that you're noticing?Speaker 3 (16:43):Lots of littles. There's a study by work that talks about the aggregate, let's say the cumulative effect of little bits of exposure on your brand actually deliver more than singular big pieces of visibility. And if a brand can try and do that show up in different places, just little bites, little bite size bits ofSpeaker 4 (17:10):ContentSpeaker 3 (17:11):That comes across a lot, that is a great way for connecting and getting consumers to remember you.Speaker 1 (17:18):We've got these kind of quick fire questions here at the end. And what's one thing that you're obsessed with figuring out in confectionary marketing right now?Speaker 3 (17:30):I'm obsessed with figuring out how to connect with consumers in a meaningful way. And that is evolving. It's very difficult. Consumers are bombarded with so many stimuli that the ability to connect with them in a relevant way is so important.Speaker 2 (17:49):Outside of snacks, do you have a brand that you really admire for nailing culture and doing just that?Speaker 3 (17:58):Yes, I love what Heinz is doing. They're fantastic. They're a great example of leaning into your heritage, creating distinction versus other brands in a category that seemingly doesn't have a lot of variety. They are very strong at having distinctive brand assets that they tap into all the time. Make it easy for consumers to think about them, remember them, and they're great at tapping into culture. They've got great little mini campaigns under their overall brand platform. It has to be hez that keep the brand very vibrant. I love what they're doing.Speaker 1 (18:42):What's the best piece of marketing advice you've ever received and do you still follow it?Speaker 3 (18:47):Message delivered does not mean message received. And I think that that applies not just to marketing, it applies to change management leadership. And it's something that I think about a lot, especially now. So if you think about it from a marketing perspective, a brand manager's perspective, it's easy to fall in the trap that if you create something and you put it out there that consumers are going to notice it, love it, and buy your brand. And what we try and tell them is, this is not Iowa Field of dreams. It's not a build it and they will come. You have to really work hard at creating relevance and getting noticed and the odds are stacked against you. So making sure your message or your intent is received, not just delivered is very important.Speaker 2 (19:42):Very nice. One more for fun. If money were no object, what's a dream marketing move you'd make?Speaker 3 (19:52):So I can give you the traditional answer on top of those lots of littles. It'd be great to have some big mega programs. I would love to have, we're talking about Godiva today. I'd love to have Godiva in the Super Bowl. I'd love to have Lady Godiva show up and present the trophy, the NFL trophy or the US Open Tennis trophy or I'd love that stuff, but I'll go past that. It would be great to have Lady Godiva as a Marvel superhero movie and have her deliver chocolate to save the world. Something's going on and she just comes and gives a little piece of chocolate and everything's okay. And that's itSpeaker 1 (20:36):For this edition of The Big Impression.Speaker 2 (20:38):This show is produced by Molten Hart. Our theme is by love and caliber, and our associate producer is Sydney Cairns,Speaker 3 (20:45):And remember lots of littles. There's a study by work that talks about the aggregate, let's say the cumulative effect of little bits of exposure on your brand actually deliver more than singular big pieces of visibility.Speaker 1 (21:03):I'm Damian and I'm IlyseSpeaker 3 (21:05):And we'llSpeaker 1 (21:05):See you next time. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After becoming European Champ and securing 4th in Hamburg the Belgian capped off her best season to date with a top 10 finish in Wollongong and the overall standings. Hear from this woman with a vibrant personality who has made huge improvements in this sport since picking up the Brownlee book on a family vacation.Use code BURN for 15% off prescriptions at telyrx.com

The Congo was just gaining its independence from Belgium in 1960 when its first democratically elected leader, Patrice Lumumba, faced an existential crisis: mutiny in his new army, followed by an unwelcome intervention by Belgian forces. Lumumba had hoped the U.S. would help, but when Washington turned its back, Lumumba turned to Moscow. And so began a CIA operation to assassinate Lumumba to stop the feared spread of Communism in Africa. The story is documented in The Lumumba Plot, a book by author Stuart Reid.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

LOUNGE LIZARDS PRESENTED BY FABRICA5 - Visit Fabrica005.com and use code LIZARDPOD at checkout for 10% off THE ENTIRE STORE! Free worldwide shipping from Miami on all orders over $125. See website for more information and terms.Recorded at Ten86 Cigars in Hawthorne, New Jersey, the Lizards pair La Flor Dominicana Cameroon Cabinet No. 1 with Lagavulin Distiller's Edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky. The guys announce their exciting new partnership with Small Batch Cigar, they revisit the U.S. Cigar Industry suing California and they discuss twenty-five years of Habanos S.A. PLUS: Home Run Humidor, New Year of the Snake for Partagás, Belgian Plain Packaging, & Gizmo's "Forced Growth"Join the Lounge Lizards for a weekly discussion on all things cigars (both Cuban and non-Cuban), whiskey, food, travel, life and work. This is your formal invitation to join us in a relaxing discussion amongst friends and become a card-carrying Lounge Lizard yourself. This is not your typical cigar podcast. We're a group of friends who love sharing cigars, whiskey and a good laugh.website/merch/rating archive: loungelizardspod.comemail: hello@loungelizardspod.com to join the conversation and be featured on an upcoming episode!instagram: @loungelizardspodGizmo HQ: LizardGizmo.com

In this gripping episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill welcomes back acclaimed historian Dr Helen Fry to uncover the hidden world of Belgium's wartime intelligence networks — the unsung heroes of espionage who risked everything to fight from behind enemy lines. Drawing from her new book The White Lady, Helen reveals how Belgian agents shaped the course of both World Wars, often at extraordinary personal cost.Far from the glamorous myths of spies in tuxedos and coded martinis, this conversation exposes the real stories of courage, sacrifice, and moral complexity. You'll hear how intelligence flowed from occupied Belgium to Britain, how messages were smuggled in the most ingenious ways, and why Belgium's location made it one of the most important hubs of wartime espionage.Helen also explores the vital – and too often overlooked – role of women in intelligence, from couriers and code-runners to key figures in networks like the White Lady. These were ordinary citizens performing extraordinary acts of defiance, held together by trust, loyalty, and an unwavering sense of duty.If you think WWII espionage was all about the SOE and France, think again. This episode pulls back the curtain on a hidden front of the intelligence war, filled with daring operations, hidden heroes, and a vast archive of untold stories waiting to be rediscovered.

Last time we spoke about the beginning of the Wuhan Campaign. As Japanese forces pressed toward central China, Chiang Kai-shek faced a brutal choice: defend Wuhan with costly sieges or unleash a dangerous flood to buy time. The Yellow River breached its banks at Huayuankou, sending a wall of water racing toward villages, railways, and fields. The flood did not erase the enemy; it bought months of breathing room for a battered China, but at a terrible toll to civilians who lost homes, farms, and lives. Within Wuhan's orbit, a mosaic of Chinese forces struggled to unite. The NRA, split into competing war zones and factions, numbered about 1.3 million but fought with uneven equipment and training. The Japanese, deploying hundreds of thousands, ships, and air power, pressed from multiple angles: Anqing, Madang, Jiujiang, and beyond, using riverine forts and amphibious landings to turn the Yangtze into a deadly artery. Yet courage endured as troops held lines, pilots challenged the skies, and civilians, like Wang Guozhen, who refused to betray his country, chose defiance over surrender. The war for Wuhan was not a single battle but a testament to endurance in the face of overwhelming odds.   #173 The Fall of Wuhan Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. In the last episode we began the Battle of Wuhan. Japan captured Anqing and gained air access to Jiujiang, Chinese defenses around the Yangtze River were strained. The southern Yangtze's Ninth War Zone held two key garrisons: one west of Poyang Lake and another in Jiujiang. To deter Japanese assault on Jiujiang, China fortified Madang with artillery, mines, and bamboo booms. On June 24, Japan conducted a surprise Madang landing while pressing south along the Yangtze. Madang's fortress withstood four assaults but suffered heavy bombardment and poison gas. Chinese leadership failures contributed to the fall: Li Yunheng, overseeing Madang, was away at a ceremony, leaving only partial contingents, primarily three battalions from marine corps units and the 313th regiment of the 53rd division, participating, totaling under five battalions. Reinforcements from Pengze were misrouted by Li's orders, arriving too late. Madang fell after three days. Chiang Kai-shek retaliated with a counterattack and rewarded units that recaptured Xiangshan, but further progress was blocked. Li Yunheng was court-martialed, and Xue Weiying executed.   Madang's loss opened a corridor toward Jiujiang. The Japanese needed weeks to clear minefields, sacrificing several ships in the process. With roughly 200,000 Chinese troops in the Jiujiang–Ruichang zone under Xue Yue and Zhang Fukui, the Japanese captured Pengze and then Hukou, using poison gas again during the fighting. The Hukou evacuation cut off many non-combat troops, with over 1,800 of 3,100 soldiers successfully evacuated and more than 1,300 missing drowned in the lake. Two weeks after Hukou's fall, the Japanese reached Jiujiang and overtook it after a five-day battle. The retreat left civilians stranded, and the Jiujiang Massacre followed: about 90,000 civilians were killed, with mass executions of POWs, rapes, and widespread destruction of districts, factories, and transport. Subsequently, the Southern Riverline Campaign saw Japanese detachments along the river advance westward, capturing Ruichang, Ruoxi, and other areas through October, stretching Chinese defenses thin as Japan pressed toward Wuchang and beyond. On July 26, 1938, the Japanese occupied Jiujiang and immediately divided their forces into three routes: advancing toward De'an and Nanchang, then striking Changsha, severing the Yue-Han Railway, and surrounding Wuhan in an effort to annihilate the Chinese field army. The advance of the 101st and 106th Infantry Divisions slowed south of the Yangtze River, yet the Central China Expeditionary Army remained intent on seizing Ruichang and De'an to cut off Chinese forces around Mount Lu. To this end, the 9th and 27th Infantry Divisions were deployed to the sector, with the 9th regarded as an experienced unit that had fought in earlier campaigns, while the 27th was newly formed in the summer of 1938; this contrast underscored the rapidly expanding scope of the war in China as the Japanese Army General Staff continued mobilizing reservists and creating new formations. According to the operational plan, the 101st and 106th Divisions would push south toward De'an to pin Chinese defenders, while the 9th and 27th Divisions would envelop Chinese forces south of the river. Okamura Yasuji ordered five battalions from the 9th to move toward De'an via Ruichang, and the Hata Detachment was tasked with securing the area northwest of Ruichang to protect the 9th's flank. North of the Yangtze, the 6th Infantry Division was to move from Huangmei to Guangji, with Tianjiazhen as the ultimate objective; capturing Tianjiazhen would allow the 11th Army to converge on Wuhan from both north and south of the river.  The operation began when the 9th Division landed at Jiujiang, threatening the left flank of the Jinguanqiao line. The Chinese responded by deploying the 1st Corps to counter the 9th Division's left flank, which threatened the Maruyama Detachment's lines of communication. The Maruyama Detachment counterattacked successfully, enabling the rest of the 9th Division to seize Ruichang on August 24; on the same day, the 9th attacked the 30th Army defending Mount Min. The Chinese defense deteriorated on the mountain, and multiple counterattacks by Chinese divisions failed, forcing the 1st Corps to retreat to Mahuiling. The seizure of Ruichang and the surrounding area was followed by a wave of atrocities, with Japanese forces inflicting substantial casualties, destroying houses, and damaging property, and crimes including murder, rape, arson, torture, and looting devastating many villages and livelihoods in the Ruichang area. After Ruichang and Mount Min fell, the Maruyama Detachment and the 106th Infantry Division advanced on Mahuiling, seeking to encircle Chinese forces from the northwest, with the 106th forming the inner ring and the Maruyama Detachment the outer ring; this coordination led to Mahuiling's fall on September 3. The 27th Infantry Division, arriving in late August, landed east of Xiaochikou, providing the manpower to extend Japanese offensives beyond the Yangtze's banks and outflank Chinese defenders along the river. Its main objective was to seize the Rui-wu highway, a vital route for the continued advance toward Wuhan. After the fall of Mahuiling, Japanese command altered its strategy. The 11th Army ordered the Maruyama Detachment to rejoin the 9th Infantry Division and press westward, while the 101st Infantry Division was to remain at Mahuiling and push south toward De'an along with the 106th Infantry Division. This divergent or “eccentric” offensive aimed to advance on Wuhan while protecting the southern flank. The renewed offensive began on September 11, 1938, with the 9th Infantry Division and Hata Detachment advancing west along the Rui-yang and Rui-wu highways toward Wuhan, followed days later by the 27th Infantry Division. Initially, the Japanese made solid progress from Ruichang toward a line centered on Laowuge, but soon faced formidable Chinese defenses. The 9th and 27th Divisions confronted the Chinese 2nd Army Corps, which had prepared in-depth positions in the mountains west of Sanchikou and Xintanpu. The 27th Division encountered stiff resistance from the 18th and 30th Corps, and although it captured Xiaoao by September 24, its vanguard advancing west of Shujie came under heavy attack from the 91st, 142nd, 60th, and 6th Reserve Infantry Divisions, threatening to encircle it. Only the southward advance of the 101st and 106th Divisions relieved the pressure, forcing the Chinese to redeploy the 91st and 6th Reserve Divisions to the south and thereby loosening the 27th's grip. After the redeployment, the 9th and 27th Divisions resumed their push. The 9th crossed the Fu Shui on October 9 and took Sanjikou on October 16, while the 27th seized Xintanpu on October 18. The Hata Detachment followed, capturing Yangxin on October 18 and Ocheng on October 23, further tightening Japanese control over the highways toward Wuhan. By mid-October, 11th Army commander Okamura Yasuji resolved to sever the Guangzhou-Hankou railway to disrupt Chinese lines. On October 22, the 9th and 27th Divisions attacked toward Jinniu and Xianning. By October 27, the 9th had captured Jinniu and cut the railway; the 27th Division extended the disruption further south. These actions effectively isolated Wuchang from the south, giving the Imperial Japanese Army greater leverage over the southern approaches to Wuhan. The push south by the 101st and 106th Infantry Divisions pressed toward De'an, where they encountered the entrenched Chinese 1st Army Corps. The offensive began on September 16 and by the 24th, elements of the 27th Division penetrated deep into the area west of Baishui Street and De'an's environs. Recognizing the growing crisis, Xue Yue mobilized the nearby 91st and 142nd Divisions, who seized Nanping Mountain along the Ruiwu Line overnight, effectively cutting off the 27th Division's retreat. Fierce combat on the 25th and 26th saw Yang Jialiu, commander of the 360th Regiment of the 60th Division, die a heroic death. Zhang Zhihe, chief of staff of the 30th Group Army and an underground CCP member, commanded the newly formed 13th Division and the 6th Division to annihilate the Suzuki Regiment and recapture Qilin Peak. Learning of the 27th Division's trap, Okamura Yasuji panicked and, on the 25th, urgently ordered the 123rd, 145th, and 147th Infantry Regiments and mountain artillery of the 106th Division on the Nanxun Line, along with the 149th Regiment of the 101st Division on the Dexing Line, to rush to Mahuiling and Xingzi. To adapt to mountain warfare, some units were temporarily converted to packhorse formations. On the 27th, the 106th Division broke through the Wutailing position with force, splitting into two groups and pushing toward Erfangzheng and Lishan. By the 28th, the three regiments and mountain artillery of the 106th Division advanced into the mountain villages of Wanjialing, Leimingguliu, Shibaoshan, Nantianpu, Beixijie, and Dunshangguo, about 50 li west of De'an. On the same day, the 149th Regiment of the 101st Division entered the Wanjialing area and joined the 106th Division. Commanded by Lieutenant General Junrokuro Matsuura, the 106th Division sought to break out of Baicha and disrupt the Nanwu Highway to disrupt the Chinese retreat from De'an. At this juncture, Xue Yue's corps perceived the Japanese advance as a predatory, wolf-like maneuver and deemed it a strategic opportunity to counterattack. He resolved to pull forces from Dexing, Nanxun, and Ruiwu to envelop the enemy near Wanjialing, with the aim of annihilating them. Thus began a desperate, pivotal battle between China and Japan in northern Jiangxi, centered on the Wanjialing area. The Japanese 106th Division found its rear communications cut off around September 28, 1938, as the Chinese blockade tightened. Despite the 27th Division's severed rear and its earlier defeat at Qilin Peak, Okamura Yasuji ordered a renewed push to relieve the besieged 106th by directing the 27th Division to attack Qilin Peak and advance east of Baishui Street. In this phase, the 27th Division dispatched the remnants of its 3rd Regiment to press the assault on Qilin Peak, employing poison gas and briefly reaching the summit. On September 29, the 142nd Division of the 32nd Army, under Shang Zhen, coordinated with the 752nd Regiment of the same division to launch a fierce counterattack on Qilin Peak at Zenggai Mountain west of Xiaoao. After intense fighting, they reclaimed the peak, thwarting the 27th Division's bid to move eastward to aid the 106th. Concurrently, a portion of the 123rd Regiment of the 106th Division attempted a breakout west of Baishui Street. Our 6th and 91st Divisions responded with a determined assault from the east of Xiaoao, blocking the 123rd Regiment east of Baishui Street. The victories at Qilin Peak and Baishui Street halted any merger between the eastern and western Japanese forces, enabling the Chinese army to seal the pocket and create decisive conditions for encircling the 106th Division and securing victory in the Battle of Wanjialing. After the setback at Qilin Peak, Division Commander Masaharu Homma, defying Okamura Yasuji's orders to secure Baishui Street, redirected his focus to Tianhe Bridge under a pretext of broader operations. He neglected the heavily encircled 106th Division and pivoted toward Xintanpu. By September 30, Chinese forces attacked from both the east and west, with the 90th and 91st Divisions joining the assault on the Japanese positions. On October 1, the Japanese, disoriented and unable to pinpoint their own unit locations, telegrammed Okamura Yasuji for air support. On October 2, the First Corps received orders to tighten the encirclement and annihilate the enemy forces. Deployments were made to exploit a numerical advantage and bolster morale, placing the Japanese in a desperate position. On October 3, 1938, the 90th and 91st Divisions launched a concerted attack on Nantianpu, delivering heavy damage to the Japanese force and showering Leimingguliu with artillery fire that endangered the 106th Division headquarters. By October 5, Chinese forces reorganized: the 58th Division of the 74th Army advanced from the south, the 90th Division of the 4th Army from the east, portions of the 6th and 91st Divisions from the west, and the 159th and 160th Divisions of the 65th Army from the north, tightening the surrounding cordon from four directions. On October 6, Xue Yue ordered a counterattack, and by October 7 the Chinese army had effectively cut off all retreat routes. That evening, after fierce hand-to-hand combat, the 4th Army regained the hilltop, standing at a 100-meter-high position, and thwarted any Japanese plan to break through Baicha and sever Chinese retreat toward De'an. By October 8, Lieutenant Colonel Sakurada Ryozo, the 106th Division's staff officer, reported the division's deteriorating situation to headquarters. The telegram signaled the impending collapse of the 106th Division. On October 9, Kuomintang forces recaptured strategic positions such as Lishan, tightening encirclement to a small pocket of about three to four square kilometers in Nantianpu, Leimingguliu, and Panjia. That night, the vanguard attacked the Japanese 106th Division's headquarters at Leimingguliu, engaging in close combat with the Japanese. Matsuura and the division's staff then took up arms in defense. In the early hours of October 10, Japanese forces launched flares that illuminated only a narrow arc of movement, and a limited number of troops fled northwest toward Yangfang Street. The two and a half month battle inflicted tremendous casualties on the Japanese, particularly on the 101st and 106th divisions. These two formations began with a combined strength of over 47,000 troops and ultimately lost around 30,000 men in the fighting. The high casualty rate hit the Japanese officer corps especially hard, forcing General Shunroku Hata to frequently airdrop replacement officers onto the besieged units' bases throughout the engagement. For the Chinese, the successful defense of Wanjialing was pivotal to the Wuhan campaign.  Zooming out at a macro level a lot of action was occurring all over the place. Over in Shandong, 1,000 soldiers under Shi Yousan, who had defected multiple times between rival warlord cliques and operated as an independent faction, occupied Jinan and held it for a few days. Guerrillas briefly controlled Yantai. East of Changzhou extending to Shanghai, another non-government Chinese force, led by Dai Li, employed guerrilla tactics in the Shanghai suburbs and across the Huangpu River. This force included secret society members from the Green Gang and the Tiandihui, who conducted executions of spies and perceived traitors, losing more than 100 men in the course of operations. On August 13, members of this force clandestinely entered the Japanese air base at Hongqiao and raised a Chinese flag. Meanwhile, the Japanese Sixth Division breached the defensive lines of Chinese 31st and 68th Armies on July 24 and captured Taihu, Susong, and Huangmei Counties by August 3. As Japanese forces advanced westward, the Chinese Fourth Army of the Fifth War Zone deployed its main strength in Guangji, Hubei, and Tianjia Town to intercept the offensive. The 11th Army Group and the 68th Army were ordered to form a defensive line in Huangmei County, while the 21st and 29th Army Groups, along with the 26th Army, moved south to outflank the Japanese. The Chinese recaptured Taihu on August 27 and Susong on August 28. However, with Japanese reinforcements arriving on August 30, the Chinese 11th Army Group and the 68th Army were unable to sustain counteroffensives and retreated to Guangji County to continue resisting alongside the 26th, 55th, and 86th Armies. The Chinese Fourth Army Group directed the 21st and 29th Army Groups to flank the Japanese from the northeast of Huangmei, but they failed to halt the Japanese advance. Guangji fell on September 6, and while Guangji was recovered by the Chinese Fourth Corps on September 8, Wuxue was lost on the same day. Zooming back in on the Wuhan Front, the Japanese focus shifted to Tianjiazhen. The fortress of Tianjiazhen represented the 6th Infantry Division's most important objective. Its geographic position, where the Yangtze's two banks narrow to roughly 600 meters, with cliffs and high ground overlooking the river, allowed Chinese forces to deploy gun batteries that could control the river and surrounding terrain. Chinese control of Tianjiazhen thus posed a serious obstacle to Japan's amphibious and logistical operations on the Yangtze, and its seizure was deemed essential for Japan to advance toward Wuhan. Taking Tianjiazhen would not be easy: overland approaches were impeded by mountainous terrain on both sides of the fortress, while an amphibious assault faced fortified positions and minefields in the narrow river. Recognizing its strategic importance, Chinese forces reinforced Tianjiazhen with three divisions from central government troops, aiming to deter an overland assault. Chinese preparations included breaching several dykes and dams along the Yangtze to flood expanses of land and slow the Japanese advance; however, the resulting higher water levels widened the river and created a more accessible supply route for the Japanese. Instead of relying on a long overland route from Anqing to Susong, the Japanese could now move supplies directly up the Yangtze from Jiujiang to Huangmei, a distance of only about 40 kilometers, which boosted the 6th Division's logistics and manpower. In August 1938 the 6th Infantry Division resumed its northward push, facing determined resistance from the 4th Army Corps entrenched in a narrow defile south of the Dabie Mountains, with counterattacks from the 21st and 27th Army Groups affecting the 6th's flank. The Dabie Mountains are a major mountain range located in central China. Running northwest to southeast, they form the main watershed between the Huai and Yangtze rivers. The range also marks the boundary between Hubei Province and its neighboring provinces of Henan to the north and Anhui to the east. By early September the 6th had captured Guangji, providing a staging ground for the thrust toward Tianjiazhen, though this extended the division's long flank: after Guangji fell, it now faced a 30-kilometer front between Huangmei and Guangji, exposing it to renewed Chinese pressure from the 21st and 27th Army Groups. This constrained the number of troops available for the main objective at Tianjiazhen. Consequently, the Japanese dispatched only a small force, three battalions from the Imamura Detachment, to assault Tianjiazhen, betting that the fortress could be taken within a week. The KMT, learning from previous defeats, reinforced Tianjiazhen with a stronger infantry garrison and built obstacles, barbed wire, pillboxes, and trench networks, to slow the assault. These defenses, combined with limited Japanese logistics, six days of rations per soldier, made the operation costly and precarious. The final Japanese assault was postponed by poor weather, allowing Chinese forces to press counterattacks: three Chinese corps, the 26th, 48th, and 86th, attacked the Imamura Detachment's flank and rear, and by September 18 these attacks had begun to bite, though the floods of the Yangtze prevented a complete encirclement of the eastern flank. Despite these setbacks, Japanese riverine and ground operations continued, aided by naval support that moved up the Yangtze as Matouzhen's batteries were overtaken. After Matouzhen fell and enabled a secure riverine supply line from Shanghai to Guangji, 11th Army commander Okamura Yasuji quickly sent relief supplies upriver on September 23. These replenishments restored the besieged troops near Tianjiazhen and allowed the Japanese to resume the offensive, employing night assaults and poison gas to seize Tianjiazhen on September 29, 1938, thereby removing a major barrier to their advance toward Wuhan along the Yangtze. The 11th Army pressed north along the Yangtze while the 2nd Army, commanded by Prince Naruhiko Higashikuni, concentrated the 3rd, 10th, 13th, and 16th Infantry Divisions around Hefei with initial aims at Lu'an and Heshan and the broader objective of moving toward the northern foothills of the Dabie Mountains. When Chinese forces began destroying roads west of Lu'an, Naruhiko shifted the 2nd Army's plan. Rather than pushing along a line from Lu'an to Heshan, he redirected toward the Huangchuan–Shangcheng corridor, where more intact roads remained accessible, and Chinese withdrawals in the Huangchuan–Shangceng area to counter the 11th Army's Yangtze advance allowed the 2nd Army to gain speed in the early stage of its offensive. The 10th and 13th Infantry Divisions were ordered to begin their advance on August 27, facing roughly 25,000 Chinese troops from the Fifth War Zone's 51st and 77th Corps, and achieving notable early gains. The 10th captured Lu'an on August 28, followed by the 13th taking Heshan on August 29. The 10th then seized Kushi on September 7. Meanwhile, the 13th crossed the Shi River at night in an attempt to seize Changbailing, but encountered stiff resistance from multiple Chinese divisions that slowed its progress. To bolster the effort, Naruhiko ordered the Seiya Detachment from the 10th Division—three infantry battalions—to reinforce the 13th. Despite these reinforcements, momentum remained insufficient, so he deployed the 16th Infantry Division, which had arrived at Yenchiachi, to assault Shangcheng from the north. After crossing the Shi River at Yanjiachi, the 16th outflanked Shangcheng from the north, coordinating with the 13th from the south; the Chinese withdrew and Shangcheng fell. Following this success, Naruhiko ordered the 13th and 16th Divisions to push deeper into the Dabie Mountains toward Baikou and Songfu, while the 10th and 3rd Divisions moved toward Leshan and Xinyang, with Xinyang, a crucial Beijing–Wuhan Railway node, representing a particularly important objective. The Japanese advance progressed steadily through the Dabie Mountains, with the 10th executing bold maneuvers to outflank Leshan from the south and the 3rd penetrating toward the Beijing–Wuhan railway north of Xinyang, collectively disrupting and cutting the railway near Xinyang in October. An independent unit, the Okada Detachment, operated between these forces, advancing through Loshan before sealing Xinyang on October 12. The seizure of Xinyang effectively severed Wuhan's northern artery from external reinforcement and resupply, signaling a decisive turn against Wuhan as a Chinese stronghold. While the 2nd Army advanced in the Dabie Mountains, another critical development was taking place far to the south. By the end of 1937, southern China became more crucial to the Republic of China as a lifeline to the outside world. Guangzhou and Hong Kong served as some of the last vital transportation hubs and sources of international aid for Chiang Kai-Shek, with approximately 80 percent of supplies from abroad reaching Chinese forces in the interior through Guangzhou. Imperial General Headquarters believed that a blockade of Guangdong province would deprive China of essential war materiel and the ability to prolong the war. As I always liked to term it, the Japanese were trying to plug up the leaks of supplies coming into China, and Guangzhou was the largest one. In 1936 the Hankow-Canton railway was completed, and together with the Kowloon-Canton railway formed a rapid all-rail link from south China to central and northern China. For the first sixteen months of the war, about 60,000 tons of goods transited per month through the port of Hong Kong. The central government also reported the import of 1.5 million gallons of gasoline through Hong Kong in 1938, and more than 700,000 tons of goods would eventually reach Hankou using the new railway. In comparison, the Soviet Union in 1937 was sending war materiel through Xinjiang to Lanzhou using camels, with Chinese raw materials traveling back either the same route or via Hong Kong to Vladivostok. By 1940, 50,000 camels and hundreds of trucks were transporting 2,000–3,000 tons of Soviet war material per month into China. Japanese planning for operations began in early November 1937, with the blockade's objectives centered on seizing a portion of Daya Bay and conducting air operations from there. In December 1937, the 5th Army, including the 11th Division, the Formosa Mixed Brigade, and the 4th Air Brigade, were activated in Formosa under Lt. Gen. Motoo Furusho to achieve this objective. Due to the proximity of Daya Bay to Hong Kong, the Japanese government feared potential trouble with Britain, and the operation was subsequently suspended, leading to the deactivation of the 5th Army. By June 1938, the Battle of Wuhan convinced Imperial General Headquarters that the fighting could not be localized. The headquarters reversed policy and began preparations to capture Guangzhou and to expedite the settlement of the war. During the peak of the battles of Shanghai and Nanjing, urgent demands for aerial support at the Battle of Taiyuan in the north and at Canton in the south forced the Nationalist Air Force of China to split the 28th Pursuit Squadron and the 5th Pursuit Group , based at Jurong Airbase in the Nanking defense sector. The squadron was divided into two smaller units: Lt. Arthur Chin led one half toward Canton, while Capt. Chan Kee-Wong led the other half to Taiyuan. On September 27, 1937, the 28th PS under Lt. Arthur Chin dispatched four Hawk IIs from Shaoguan Airbase, and the 29th PS under Lt. Chen Shun-Nan deployed three Hawk IIIs from Tianhe Airbase. Their mission was to intercept Japanese IJNAF G3M bombers attempting to strike the Canton–Hankow railway infrastructure. The two flights engaged the Japanese bombers over Canton, claiming at least two kills; one G3M dumped fuel and ditching off the coast of Swatow, with its crew rescued by a British freighter, though one of the gunners died of battle injuries. In October 1937, amid mounting demands and combat losses, the Chinese government ordered 36 Gloster Gladiator Mk.I fighters, whose performance and firepower surpassed that of the Hawk IIs and IIIs, and most of these would become frontline fighters for the Canton defense sector as the war extended into 1938. On February 23, 1938, Capt. John Huang Xinrui, another Chinese-American volunteer pilot, took command of the renewed 29th PS, now equipped with the Gladiators. He led nine Gladiators from Nanxiong Airbase on their first active combat over Canton, supporting three Gladiators from the 28th PS as they intercepted thirteen Nakajima E8N fighter-attack seaplanes launched from the seaplane tenders Notoro Maru and Kinugasa Maru. The battle proved challenging: most of the Gladiators' machine guns jammed, severely reducing their firepower. Despite this, five of the E8Ns were shot down, confirmed by Capt. Huang and his fellow pilots who managed to strike the Japanese aircraft with only one, two, or three functioning guns per Gladiator. Chin later revealed that the gun jams were caused by defective Belgian-made ammunition. The combat nevertheless proved tragic and costly: Lt. Xie Chuanhe (Hsieh Chuan-ho) and his wingman Lt. Yang Rutong pursued the E8Ns but were stymied by inoperable weapons, with Lt. Yang killed in the counterattack, and Lt. Chen Qiwei lost under similar circumstances. The 4th War Area Army, commanded by He Yingqin, was assigned to the defense of south China in 1938. General Yu Hanmou led the 12th Army Group defending Guangdong province. The region's defense included about eight divisions and two brigades of regular army troops stationed around Guangzhou, with an additional five divisions of regular troops deployed in Fujian. The 4th War Area Army totaled roughly 110,000 regular army troops. By this time, most regular army units in Guangxi and four Guangdong divisions had been redirected north to participate in the Battle of Wuhan. Beyond the regular army, two militia divisions were deployed near Guangzhou, and the Guangxi militia comprised five divisions. Militia units were typically raised from local civilians and disbanded as the army moved through new areas. Their roles centered on security, supply transportation, and reconnaissance. Guangdong's main defensive strength was concentrated in Guangzhou and the immediate environs to the city's east. Other Chinese forces defended Chaozhou and western Guangdong. Defensive fortifications included the Humen fortress guarding the Pearl River mouth and three defensive lines near Daya Bay. Guangzhou housed three batteries of four three-inch guns, a battery of three 120mm guns, and Soviet-supplied 37mm anti-aircraft guns. The Imperial Japanese Navy conducted an aerial and naval interdiction campaign aimed at China's communication lines to neighboring regions. Japan believed that the blockade would hasten the end of the war, and disruption of the Chinese logistics network was the primary objective in Guangdong province from August 1937 until October 1938. The 5th Fleet's blockading actions extended along the coast from Haimenchen, Zhejiang to Shantou, with the 5th Destroyer Squadron patrolling the coast south of Shantou. At times, units from the Marianas were deployed to support coastal blockade operations in south China, usually consisting of cruisers accompanied by destroyer flotillas. One or two aircraft carriers and fleet auxiliaries would also be on station. Naval interdictions focused on stopping junks ferrying military supplies from Hong Kong to coastal China. The first recorded attack occurred in September 1937 when eleven junks were sunk by a Japanese submarine. Although Japan successfully blockaded Chinese shipping and ports, foreign shipping could still enter and depart from Hong Kong. The central government had established Hong Kong as a warehouse for munitions and supplies to pass through. Aerial interdictions targeted Chinese railway bridges and trains in Guangdong. Starting in October 1937, the Japanese launched air raids against the Sunning railway, focusing on government facilities and bridges in Jiangmen and towns along the railway. By 1938, airstrikes against the Kowloon–C Canton railway became common, with damaged trains periodically found along the line. An air-defense early warning system was created to divert trains during raids into forested areas that offered overhead concealment. In May 1938, the Colonial Office and the Foreign Office approved a Chinese request to construct and operate a locomotive repair yard within the New Territories to keep the railway operational. Airstrikes against rail facilities in Guangzhou were designed to interrupt rail supplies from Hong Kong so Japan would not need to commit to land operations in south China. However, the air raids did not severely impede railway operations or stop supplies moving through Hunan or Guangxi. The blockade in south China also targeted aircraft flying out of Hong Kong. In November 1937, a Royal Navy aircraft from HMS Eagle encountered Japanese naval anti-aircraft fire off the coast of Hong Kong. In December 1937, fifteen Japanese bombers overflew Lantau Island and the Taikoo docks. In August 1938, Japanese naval aircraft shot down a China National Aviation Corporation passenger plane, and two Eurasia Aviation Corporation passenger planes were shot down the following month. Beyond military targets, the Japanese conducted politically motivated terror bombing in Guangzhou. Bombing intensified from May to June 1938 with incendiary munitions and low-level strafing attacks against ships. The Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service, operating from Formosa and the carrier Kaga, conducted about 400 airstrikes during this period and continued into July. By the end of the summer, Guangzhou's population had dwindled to approximately 600,000 from an original 1.3 million. From August 1937 to October 1938, casualties in Guangzhou were estimated at 6,000 killed and 8,000 injured. On October 12, 1938, Japanese forces from the 21st Army, including the 5th, 18th, and 104th Infantry Divisions, landed in Guangzhou, launching the operation at 4:00 am with elements of the 5th and 18th Divisions hitting Aotou and elements of the 104th Division landing at Hachung in Bias Bay. Initially totaling about 30,000 men, they were soon reinforced by a further 20,000, and resistance was minimal because most of Yu Hanmou's 12th Army Group had been redeployed to central China to defend approaches to Wuhan, leaving only two regular Chinese divisions, the 151st and 153rd, to defend the region. By the night of October 12, the Japanese had established a 10-kilometer-deep beachhead and advanced inland; on October 13 they seized the towns of Pingshan and Tamshui with little opposition, and on October 15 they converged on Waichow and captured it. The fall of Pingshan, located on the Sai Kong River with a deep, broad river and only a flimsy crossing, and Waichow, where Chinese defenses included trenches and concrete pillboxes, surprised observers since these positions had been prepared to resist invasion; nonetheless, Chinese forces fled, opening the road to Guangzhou for the Japanese. Between October 16 and 19, three Japanese columns pushed inland, with the easternmost column crossing the East River on the 16th and the 5th Infantry Division capturing Sheklung on the 19th as Chinese forces retreated. By the night of October 20, Guangzhou's defenders withdrew and adopted a scorched-earth policy to deny resources to the invaders. On October 21, Japanese tanks entered Guangzhou without infantry support, and a regiment from the 5th Infantry Division captured the Bocca Tigris forts with no resistance. With Guangzhou secured, the Guangzhou–Wuhan railway and the Hong Kong–Guangzhou railway were severed, supplies to Wuhan were cut, Chiang Kai-Shek faced a daunting and depressing task, he had to abandon Wuhan. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. The Yangtze became a bloodied artery as Chinese and Japanese forces clashed from Anqing to Jiujiang, Madang to Tianjiazhen. A mosaic of Chinese troops, filled with grit and missteps, held lines while civilians like Wang Guozhen refused to surrender. The siege of Wanjialing crowned Chinese resilience, even as Guangzhou buckled under a relentless blockade. The Fall of Wuhan was all but inevitable.

We are excited to welcome Belgian talent Adjust (BE) to our live series. In this session he delves into his own repository of productions providing a live performance awash with hypnotic energies and atmospheric tones. Follow : https://soundcloud.com/adjustbe_ofc https://www.instagram.com/adjustbe_ofc/ Tracklist : 1 Adjust (BE) & Ancestral Landscapes - Darkest Night (Original Mix) 2 Adjust (BE) - Broken Sun (Original Mix) 3 Adjust (BE) - Faint (Original Mix) 4 Adjust (BE) & Reʌenänt - Mithya (Original Mix) 5 Adjust (BE) - Long Farewell (Original Mix) 6 Fook Yue - Eden (Adjust (BE) Interpretation) 7 En.Ka - Merlot (Adjust (BE) remix) 8 Adjust (BE) - Wailing Memory (Original Mix) 9 Adjust (BE) - ID 10 Adjust (BE) - Fragments (Original Mix) 11 Adjust (BE) - ID 12 Adjust (BE) - ID 13 Adjust (BE) & Ancestral Landscapes - Answers (Original Mix) 14 Adjust (BE) - Bhavaya (Original Mix) 15 Adjust (BE) - Fractured Elements (Original Mix) 16 ØSC - Inertial Underestemation (Adjust(BE) Remix) 17 Adjust (BE) - Para Shakti (Original Mix) 18 Adjust (BE) & Cauê - Caladrius (Original Mix) 19 Adjust (BE) & Reʌenänt - Shraddha (Original Mix) 20 Adjust (BE) - Inner Conscience (Original Mix) 21 Adjust (BE) - ID 22 Adjust (BE) & Cauê - Spectral Voice (Original Mix) 23 Sydro - Vexatious Flux (Adjust (BE) Remix) 24 Esteban Miranda - Mental Preparation (Adjust (BE) remix) 25 Adjust (BE) - ID 26 Adjust (BE) & Cauê - Eternal Vision (Original Mix) 27 Adjust (BE) - Earth Snake (Original Mix) 28 Adjust (BE) - Dvara (Original Mix)

In this episode Author and Historian Helen Fry details the importance of Intelligence gathering networks in Belgium during World War I and World War II. She talks us through how they were set up, how the remnants of the first network were pivotal in the creation of the new networks in World War II.Grab a copy of The White Lady: The Story of Two Key British Secret Service Networks Behind German LinesKeep up to date with Helen via her Website, X, or InstagramIf you want to get in touch with History with Jackson email: jackson@historywithjackson.co.ukTo support History with Jackson to carry on creating content subscribe to History with Jackson+ on Apple Podcasts or support us on our Patreon!To catch up on everything to do with History with Jackson head to www.HistorywithJackson.co.ukFollow us on Facebook at @HistorywithJacksonFollow us on Instagram at @HistorywithJacksonFollow us on X/Twitter at @HistorywJacksonFollow us on TikTok at @HistorywithJackson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jay of the Dead'sNew Horror Movies presents… the 55th Edition of the world's greatest Zombie Movie Podcast — Dead Man Still Walking, starring Dr. Walking Dead Kyle Bishop! In this fascinating and unexpectedly subversive episode, Dr. Bishop welcomes special guest Jay of the Dead to explore the surprising horror history of “The Purple Smurfs” (yes, those Smurfs!) and their uncanny place in zombie canon. This is a must-listen for fans of zombie cinema. Likely inspired somewhat by Richard Matheson's novel, “I Am Legend” (1954) — yet before George Romero's shambling ghouls — there existed a little-known, infected-zombie narrative within the Belgian comic, Les Schtroumpfs Noirs (“The Black Smurfs”) from 1959, later wisely adapted for American audiences in 1963 as “The Purple Smurfs.” What seems like a simple children's story reveals shocking thematic roots in infection, rage, and apocalypse, complete with an urgent race to find a cure. Dr. Bishop herein declares, “Yes, the Purple Smurfs are zombies.” Also during Episode 166 here, Jay and Kyle dive deep into both the original comic source material and the adapted, 1981 TV episode — part of a Halloween special featuring “The Haunted Smurf” as well as “The Purple Smurfs” — unpacking how the latter's infection narrative even precedes films like “The Crazies” (1973), “Rabid” (1977), and “28 Days Later” (2002). They discuss the sociocultural implications, from 1980s “Satanic Panic” anxieties to the comic's troubling racial undertones in its early form. Jay playfully speculates whether the story serves as a bizarre, STD cautionary tale — and even debuts his first-ever Horror trailer for The Purple Smurfs (1981) TV episode! As for Dr. Bishop's favorite color? You just might find the answer buried somewhere in this delightfully twisted episode of Dead Man Still Walking. Gnap! Gnap! Note: This episode was recorded on July 21, 2025. Note: To view ALL of Dr. Bishop's Dead Man Still Walking solocast episodes can USE THIS LINK. And to view ALL of Dr. Bishop's episode-by-episode commentaries on The Last of Us – Seasons 1 and 2, with Jay of the Dead, then USE THIS LINK. Dead Man Still Walking is a biweekly, short-form solocast hosted by Dr. Walking Dead Kyle Bishop, author of American Zombie Gothic and How Zombies Conquered Popular Culture. Dr. Walking Dead also presents a popular segment called The Dead Zone on regular episodes of this podcast. For his Dead Man Still Walking solocast episodes, Dr. Bishop will focus exclusively on zombie films, with the occasional exploration of zombie-related themes, zombie television, and other zombie media (e.g., comics, literature, etc.). Dr. Bishop is an academic and professional scholar of zombie films and other zombie narratives. He has been teaching for 23 years. Dr. Bishop serves as an English professor, Film Studies professor, and he's currently the English Department Chair at Southern Utah University. You are welcome to reach out to Dr. Bishop with comments or questions via email: bishopk@suu.edu, X: @DrWalkingDead, BlueSky and Instagram (@DrWalkingDead) or by leaving him a voicemail: (801) 980-1375. You can also watch the documentary, Doc of the Dead (2014), which features Dr. Walking Dead. Find more links below for Dr. Bishop. Be sure to subscribe to Jay of the Dead's new Horror movie podcast on: Apple PodcastsSpotifyDeezer   You are welcome to email our show at HauntingYourHeadphones@gmail.com. You can also follow Jay of the Dead'sNew Horror Movies on X: @HorrorAvengers Dead Man Still Walking with Dr. Kyle Bishop is brought to you by Jay of the Dead'sNew Horror Movies, an audio Horror movie podcast. It features nine experienced Horror hosts review new Horror movies and deliver specialty Horror segments. Your hosts are Jay of the Dead, Dr. Shock, Gillman Joel, Mister Watson, Dr. Walking Dead, GregaMortis, Mackula, Ron Martin, Dave Zee and Spawn of the Dead! Due to the large number and busy schedule of its nine Horror hosts, Jay of the Dead'sNew Horror Movies will be recorded in segments, piecemeal, at various times and recording sessions. Therefore, as you listen to our episodes, you will notice a variety of revolving door hosts and segments, all sewn together and reanimated like the powerful Monster of Dr. Frankenstein!

Users are falling in love with and losing their minds to AI. Journalist Kashmir Hill exposes shocking recent cases of chatbot-induced psychosis and suicide.Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1227What We Discuss with Kashmir Hill:AI chatbots are having serious psychological effects on users, including manic episodes, delusional spirals, and mental breakdowns that can last hours, days, or months.Users are experiencing "AI psychosis" — an emerging phenomenon where vulnerable people become convinced chatbots are sentient, fall in love with them, or spiral into dangerous delusions.Tragic outcomes have occurred, including a Belgian man with a family who took his own life after six weeks of chatting, believing his family was dead and his suicide would save the planet.AI chatbots validate harmful thoughts — creating dangerous feedback loops for people with OCD, anxiety, or psychosis, potentially destabilizing those already predisposed to mental illness.Stay skeptical and maintain perspective — treat AI as word prediction machines, not oracles. Use them as tools like Google, verify important information, and prioritize real human relationships over AI interactions.And much more...And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here — even one sentence helps! Sign up for Six-Minute Networking — our free networking and relationship development mini course — at jordanharbinger.com/course!Subscribe to our once-a-week Wee Bit Wiser newsletter today and start filling your Wednesdays with wisdom!Do you even Reddit, bro? Join us at r/JordanHarbinger!This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors: Factor: 50% off first box: factormeals.com/jordan50off, code JORDAN50OFFSignos: $10 off select programs: signos.com, code JORDANUplift: Special offer: upliftdesk.com/jordanQuince: Free shipping & 365-day returns: quince.com/jordanHomes.com: Find your home: homes.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Peyo's comic album ‘Johan and Peewit' provided the platform for The Smurfs' debut on 23rd October, 1958 - a cameo that their Belgian creator considered an unremarkable side-hustle. But the tiny blue creatures (“Schtroumpfs”, in the original text) went on to become a global cultural phenomenon. Within a year, the Smurfs got their own stories, and by 1959 were starring in dedicated comics. Then came the merch: first as plastic figurines in cereal boxes, then as collectible cuddly toys. When NBC's Fred Silverman saw his daughter playing with a Smurf doll, he commissioned Hanna-Barbera to turn them into a Saturday morning TV sensation.  In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly explain how Peyo took inspiration from Disney, dwarves and medieval fantasy; consider the origin story of ‘the female smurf', Smurfette; and explain why Hollywood keeps rebooting their Smurfy adventures… Further Reading: • ‘PIERRE CULLIFORD, CREATOR OF THE SMURFS, DIES AT 64' (The Washington Post, 1992): https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1992/12/25/pierre-culliford-creator-of-the-smurfs-dies-at-64/c9cf93c8-3896-4253-9448-f09f7cc49e82/ • ‘The inside story of the little blue tribe that conquered the world' (Brussels Times, 2023): https://www.brusselstimes.com/499686/empire-of-the-smurfs • ‘Can the Smurfs save Smurfette from the wicked witch Hogatha, who wants to steal her golden hair?' (The Smurfs, 2025): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xf-RJq4O_tM #Comics #Belgium #Toys #Sexism This episode first premiered in 2024, for members of