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Tori is joined by life coach and organizer Dorothy Belininger. What was supposed to be a conversation about organizing gift bags turned into one of the most vulnerable admissions Tori has made yet: it isn’t about the stuff…it’s about what’s underneath it. And this time, she’s ready to let it go.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tori is joined by life coach and organizer Dorothy Belininger. What was supposed to be a conversation about organizing gift bags turned into one of the most vulnerable admissions Tori has made yet: it isn’t about the stuff…it’s about what’s underneath it. And this time, she’s ready to let it go.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tori is joined by life coach and organizer Dorothy Belininger. What was supposed to be a conversation about organizing gift bags turned into one of the most vulnerable admissions Tori has made yet: it isn’t about the stuff…it’s about what’s underneath it. And this time, she’s ready to let it go.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Awaken Your Inner Awesomeness with Melissa Oatman-A daily dose of spirituality and self improvement
In this soul-stirring episode, Awakening Your Inner Divinity: Remembering Who You Truly Are, we explore what it truly means to reconnect with your sacred essence. Beneath the roles you play, the expectations you carry, and the doubts that cloud your mind, there is a divine spark within you — untouched, whole, and infinitely worthy. If you've been feeling disconnected, questioning your purpose, or searching for deeper meaning, this conversation will guide you back home to yourself. We'll talk about releasing limiting beliefs, quieting the ego, and learning to trust the wisdom of your higher self. You'll discover how to recognize your inner light, strengthen your spiritual awareness, and step into alignment with your true nature. This episode is an invitation to remember: you are not broken, you are not behind, and you are not separate from the divine. You are a sacred being having a human experience. Tune in for grounding insights, spiritual encouragement, Contact me: https://melissaoatman.com Purchase my book Beautifully Broken: https://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/beautifully-broken-the-spiritual-womans-guide-to-thriving-not-simply-surviving-after-a-breakup-or-divorce/459896 Purchase my book Beautiful Mourning https://a.co/d/0iZdi5hM https://a.co/d/0iZdi5hM Follow me on social media: tiktok.com/@melissaoatman https://www.facebook.com/groups/awakenyourhearttopurpose/ https://www.facebook.com/reikiwithlissa/ http://www.instagram.com/melissaoatman222 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQPtU9hPeEWjbHr62LxuEXA https://www.twitter.com/MelissaOatman Your energetic gifts are very much appreciated! Donations can be made to my channel through Venmo or PayPal, Venmo @Melissa-Ann-161 PayPal: melissaoatman77@gmail.com
Send a textIn today's episode, I'm chatting with Lindsay Marie Morris, a novelist and journalist based in Los Angeles whose work is deeply rooted in her Sicilian-American heritage. Lindsay's debut novel, The Last Letter from Sicily, was inspired by her grandmother's story and explores love, resilience, and long-held family secrets during World War II. Her second novel, Beneath the Sicilian Stars, returns to this era, following a family divided between California and Sicily as the war forces them to confront questions of loyalty, belonging, and sacrifice.Episode Highlights:The often-overlooked history of Sicilians and Italian Americans during World War II, including the impact of the Alien Enemy Act and the internment of Italian Americans, history rarely taught in American schools.How family stories are often passed down in fragments, and the role fiction can play in uncovering the fuller, more complicated truth.Exploring Sicilian culture through food, including why arancini are shaped differently depending on where you are on the island.A Sicily-focused book flight, plus additional reading recommendations on Italian and Italian-American history.How Lindsay connects with readers through her newsletter, sharing behind-the-scenes insights, upcoming events, and travel notes from the road.Connect with Lindsay:WebsiteFacebookInstagramShow NotesSome links are affiliate links, which are no extra cost to you but do help to support the show.Books and authors mentioned in the episode:Una Storia Segreta by Lawrence DiStasiLaura Ingalls Wilder booksNeopolitan Quartet by Elena FerranteEternal by Lisa ScottolineRenata Tebaldi: The Voice of an Angel by Carlamaria CasanovaBook FlightThe Peoples of Sicily by Louis Mendola & Jacqueline AlioThe Leopard by Giovanni Di LampedusaSicily on My Mind by Joseph Cione✨ Find Your Next Great Read! We just hit 175 episodes of Bookish Flights, and to celebrate, I created the Bookish Flights Roadmap — a guide to all 175 podcast episodes, sorted by genre to help you find your next great read faster.Explore it here → www.bookishflights.com/read/roadmapSupport the showBe sure to join the Bookish Flights community on social media. Happy listening! Instagram Facebook Website
Tori is joined by life coach and organizer Dorothy Belininger. What was supposed to be a conversation about organizing gift bags turned into one of the most vulnerable admissions Tori has made yet: it isn’t about the stuff…it’s about what’s underneath it. And this time, she’s ready to let it go.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
With partisan politics taking center stage instead of athletic excellence at the Olympic Games, Jase, Al, and Zach wonder what happened to simple national pride. What was once a rare moment of unity now feels like another front in the culture wars. That frustration leads to a wild look back at the Robertsons' own dangerously reckless “Backyard Winter Olympics,” where frozen ponds, car hoods, and homemade skis somehow didn't end in tragedy. Beneath the cultural chaos runs a deeper question: if grace is real, why do we have to worry about doing what's good and right? In this episode: 1 John 2, verses 28–29; 1 John 3, verses 1–10; 1 John 4, verse 7; Romans 1, verses 1–5; Romans 5, verses 12–21; Romans 6, verses 1–11; Romans 7, verses 1–6; 1 Peter 1, verses 18–23; Hebrews 11, verse 1 “Unashamed” Episode 1271 is sponsored by: https://meetfabric.com/unashamed — Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to help protect their family. https://homechef.com/unashamed — Get 50% off and free shipping on your first box plus free dessert for life! https://rocketmoney.com/unashamed — Join Rocket Money and let them help you reach your financial goals faster. https://chministries.org/unashamed — See why Christians are ditching health insurance for good. Get a simpler alternative at half the cost! http://unashamedforhillsdale.com/ — Sign up now for free, and join the Unashamed hosts every Friday for Unashamed Academy Powered by Hillsdale College Check out At Home with Phil Robertson, nearly 800 episodes of Phil's unfiltered wisdom, humor, and biblical truth, available for free for the first time! Get it on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, and anywhere you listen to podcasts! https://open.spotify.com/show/3LY8eJ4ZBZHmsImGoDNK2l Listen to Not Yet Now with Zach Dasher on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, or anywhere you get podcasts. Chapters: 00:00 Olympic Stories & At-Risk Play 08:51 Unashamed at His Coming 13:40 Practicing Sin vs. Occasional Sin 19:10 Dying to Sin 26:20 Baptized Into His Death & Raised to New Life 33:30 Dying to the Law 41:10 Abiding in Christ vs. Lawlessness 48:35 The Obedience of Faith & the “Roman Bracket” 53:30 A Purifying Hope & the New Humanity — Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What if generosity is not a moment, but something cultivated over time? This week, we explore what it means to grow a heart that is ready, steady enough to give consistently and free enough to respond instantly. Beneath the surface, something is always being formed in us. The question is not if you will sow, but what has been cultivated when the moment comes.
In this powerful episode of Raising Confident Girls, host Melissa Jones explores two moments that leave many parents feeling unsure: when their daughter compares herself to others—and when she comes home from school and completely falls apart.Melissa reframes comparison as something far more meaningful than a confidence problem. Rather than seeing it as insecurity or weakness, she explains that comparison is a normal developmental signal. It's how girls begin to understand where they fit socially, what matters to them, and how they see themselves in relation to others. Instead of dismissing comments like “She's prettier than me” or “I'm not as smart as her,” Melissa guides parents toward responding with empathy—acknowledging feelings first, then helping girls recognize their own unique strengths.She also unpacks the all-too-familiar “after-school unraveling.” If your daughter holds it together all day only to melt down the moment she gets home, Melissa offers a reassuring perspective: this emotional release is often a sign of safety and trust. Home is where she feels secure enough to let her guard down. Beneath the tears and frustration lies emotional effort, social pressure, and the hard work of self-regulation.Throughout the episode, Melissa shares practical and compassionate tools to help parents:Understand why comparison is developmentally normalRespond without minimizing or dismissing feelingsRecognize after-school meltdowns as signs of emotional safetyAvoid common reactions that unintentionally shut girls downCreate a home environment where feelings are welcomed, not fixedBuild connection, resilience, and lasting confidenceThis episode is a reassuring reminder that big emotions are not problems to solve—but opportunities to strengthen trust and deepen connection. When parents respond with empathy, steadiness, and understanding, they provide the stable foundation girls need to grow into confident, self-aware young women.Download the Quick Tips PDF of today's episode for future reference.If you know a parent who could benefit from this conversation, share this episode with them! Let's work together to raise the next generation of confident girls.Melissa's Links:• Website • Instagram • Facebook• TikTok• LinkedIn
Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Secrets Beneath the Snow: Unraveling Zijincheng Mysteries Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2026-02-17-08-38-20-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 紫禁城被厚厚的雪覆盖着,红墙金顶在白色的背景下更显得亮眼。En: The Zijincheng was covered in thick snow, with its red walls and golden rooftops standing out even more against the white backdrop.Zh: 新年灯笼在风中轻轻摇曳,增添了节日的气氛。En: New Year lanterns gently swayed in the wind, adding to the festive atmosphere.Zh: 就在这样一个冬天的早晨,历史学家奕辰,艺术修复师梅琳和安保官员志豪聚集在此。En: On such a winter morning, historian Yichen, art restorer Meilin, and security officer Zhihao gathered there.Zh: 奕辰是个勤奋的历史学家,他在寻找一份据说拥有重要历史信息的古老手稿。En: Yichen was a diligent historian who was searching for an ancient manuscript said to contain important historical information.Zh: 然而,手稿在一次公众参观中消失了。En: However, the manuscript disappeared during a public tour.Zh: 新年将至,游客越来越多,时间紧迫。En: With New Year approaching and more visitors arriving, time was running short.Zh: 奕辰暗暗担心,他必须尽快找到手稿。En: Yichen was secretly worried; he needed to find the manuscript quickly.Zh: 梅琳是紫禁城里的艺术修复师,虽然她过去神秘,但她对艺术的热情毋庸置疑。En: Meilin was an art restorer in the Zijincheng, mysterious in her past, but her passion for art was undeniable.Zh: 奕辰决定信任她。En: Yichen decided to trust her.Zh: 志豪是个眼光敏锐的安保官员,一直严格遵守规章制度,但这次,他面临着巨大的选择。En: Zhihao was a vigilant security officer who strictly adhered to regulations, yet this time, he faced a great choice.Zh: 三人开始在紫禁城里细致地寻找。En: The three began their meticulous search within the Zijincheng.Zh: 他们查找每一个可能的角落。En: They searched through every possible corner.Zh: 梅琳无意中想起紫禁城曾有一条古老的秘密通道,或许和手稿的消失有关。En: Meilin accidentally remembered that there was an ancient secret passage in the Zijincheng which might be related to the disappearance of the manuscript.Zh: 在梅琳的指引下,他们找到了入口。En: Under Meilin's guidance, they found the entrance.Zh: 奕辰、小心翼翼地进入通道,在阴暗的走廊里摸索。En: Yichen, cautiously entered the passage, groping through the dim corridor.Zh: 突如其来的响声让他吓了一跳,他触动了警报。En: A sudden noise startled him; he had triggered an alarm.Zh: 不过,没有撤退的时间,他们继续前进,终于在一个隐蔽的小室里找到了失踪的手稿。En: However, there was no time to retreat, so they pressed on and finally found the missing manuscript in a hidden chamber.Zh: 志豪迅速关闭了警报,一切恢复了平静。En: Zhihao quickly turned off the alarm, restoring calm.Zh: 三人在漫天飞雪中返回,心中充满了欣喜。En: The three returned amidst the swirling snowflakes, hearts full of joy.Zh: 手稿在新年钟声响起前找到了,每个人脸上都带着微笑。En: The manuscript was found before the New Year bell tolled, and smiles adorned each face.Zh: 经过这次事件,奕辰明白了信任和合作的重要。En: Through this incident, Yichen learned the importance of trust and cooperation.Zh: 无论事情多么不确定,朋友们的支持是不可或缺的。En: No matter how uncertain things were, the support of friends was indispensable.Zh: 新年的烟火照亮了夜空,紫禁城在灯光下显得格外宏伟,就像他们新的友谊一样。En: The New Year's fireworks lit up the night sky, with the Zijincheng looking particularly magnificent in the lights, just like their newfound friendship. Vocabulary Words:covered: 覆盖着backdrop: 背景lanterns: 灯笼swayed: 摇曳festive: 节日historian: 历史学家manuscript: 手稿restorer: 修复师diligent: 勤奋vigilant: 眼光敏锐regulations: 规章制度meticulous: 细致corner: 角落passage: 通道guidance: 指引triggered: 触动alarm: 警报retreat: 撤退chamber: 小室swiftly: 迅速swirling: 漫天飞indispensable: 不可或缺的adorned: 带着incident: 事件magnificent: 宏伟cooperation: 合作uncertain: 不确定support: 支持fireworks: 烟火friendship: 友谊
Fluent Fiction - French: Love and Riddles: A Hidden Temple Adventure Beneath the Louvre Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/fr/episode/2026-02-17-23-34-02-fr Story Transcript:Fr: Sous le Louvre, caché des touristes, se trouve un temple secret.En: Under the Louvre, hidden from tourists, there is a secret temple.Fr: Ce jour-là, Thibault et Amélie s'y aventurent.En: On that day, Thibault and Amélie venture inside.Fr: Le temple est sombre, éclairé faiblement par des bougies.En: The temple is dark, dimly lit by candles.Fr: Des symboles étranges ornent les murs, et des artefacts anciens reposent sur des étagères.En: Strange symbols adorn the walls, and ancient artifacts rest on shelves.Fr: C'est l'hiver, et les décorations de la Saint-Valentin apportent une touche de chaleur inattendue.En: It's winter, and the Valentine's Day decorations bring an unexpected touch of warmth.Fr: Thibault sourit, déterminé à impressionner Amélie.En: Thibault smiles, determined to impress Amélie.Fr: Il a un plan en tête.En: He has a plan in mind.Fr: Mais dès la première énigme, les choses se compliquent.En: But from the first riddle, things get complicated.Fr: Devant un tableau de symboles, Thibault se perd.En: In front of a board of symbols, Thibault gets lost.Fr: "Euh... peut-être que le cœur ici signifie amour, et on doit le tourner?" propose-t-il, tentant de paraître confiant.En: "Uh... maybe the heart here means love, and we have to turn it?" he proposes, trying to appear confident.Fr: Amélie hausse un sourcil, amusée.En: Amélie raises an eyebrow, amused.Fr: "Ou alors, il faut juste le pousser," suggère-t-elle en riant.En: "Or maybe, we just need to push it," she suggests, laughing.Fr: Chaque indice mène à une solution improbable.En: Each clue leads to an improbable solution.Fr: La tension monte, mais Thibault décide de détendre l'atmosphère.En: Tension rises, but Thibault decides to lighten the mood.Fr: "Amélie, imagine si ce vase était rempli de chocolat chaud," plaisante-t-il, montrant un grand vase de l'angle de la pièce.En: "Amélie, imagine if this vase were filled with hot chocolate," he jokes, pointing to a large vase in the corner of the room.Fr: Elle rit de bon cœur.En: She laughs heartily.Fr: "Oui, et les symboles se transforment en biscuits !" Thibault sourit, content de l'entendre rire.En: "Yes, and the symbols would turn into cookies!" Thibault smiles, happy to hear her laugh.Fr: L'horloge tourne.En: Time is ticking.Fr: Plus que dix minutes.En: Only ten minutes left.Fr: Thibault se rend compte qu'il n'y arrivera pas.En: Thibault realizes he won't make it.Fr: Mais il sait qu'il a quelque chose d'important à dire.En: But he knows he has something important to say.Fr: "Amélie..." commence-t-il, abandonnant enfin les énigmes.En: "Amélie..." he begins, finally giving up the riddles.Fr: Il respire profondément.En: He takes a deep breath.Fr: "J'ai quelque chose à te dire."En: "I have something to tell you."Fr: Amélie l'observe, surprise mais curieuse.En: Amélie watches him, surprised but curious.Fr: "Oui, Thibault?" dit-elle doucement.En: "Yes, Thibault?" she says softly.Fr: "C'est un peu fou... mais... je crois que je suis amoureux de toi," avoue-t-il, son cœur battant la chamade.En: "It's a bit crazy... but... I think I'm in love with you," he admits, his heart racing.Fr: Un moment de silence, puis Amélie éclate de rire.En: A moment of silence, then Amélie bursts into laughter.Fr: Mais c'est un rire joyeux.En: But it's joyful laughter.Fr: "Tu es vraiment incroyable, Thibault," murmure-t-elle, touchée.En: "You are truly incredible, Thibault," she whispers, touched.Fr: Elle le regarde dans les yeux.En: She looks him in the eyes.Fr: "Moi aussi," admet-elle.En: "Me too," she admits.Fr: À ce moment-là, la porte s'ouvre brusquement, et les assistants entrent.En: At that moment, the door suddenly opens, and the assistants enter.Fr: "Il semble que vous ayez besoin d'un coup de main," dit l'un d'eux.En: "It seems you could use a hand," says one of them.Fr: Thibault et Amélie se regardent et rient tous les deux.En: Thibault and Amélie look at each other and both laugh.Fr: Le temple caché devient un souvenir précieux.En: The hidden temple becomes a precious memory.Fr: Thibault est soulagé, pas de la solution de l'énigme, mais d'avoir ouvert son cœur.En: Thibault is relieved, not from solving the riddle, but from opening his heart.Fr: Amélie, elle, a appris à embrasser l'imprévu avec joie.En: Amélie, for her part, has learned to embrace the unexpected with joy.Fr: Ce jour-là, dans le temple secret du Louvre, un simple jeu d'évasion s'est transformé en une aventure inoubliable.En: On that day, in the secret temple of the Louvre, a simple escape game transformed into an unforgettable adventure.Fr: Thibault a trouvé le courage d'être lui-même, et Amélie a découvert la beauté de l'instant présent.En: Thibault found the courage to be himself, and Amélie discovered the beauty of the present moment.Fr: Ensemble, ils quittent le temple, main dans la main, avec la promesse de plus d'aventures à venir.En: Together, they leave the temple, hand in hand, with the promise of more adventures to come. Vocabulary Words:the temple: le templesecret: secretto venture: s'aventurerdimly: faiblementcandle: la bougieto adorn: ornerartifact: l'artefactshelf: l'étagèreriddle: l'énigmesymbol: le symboleto propose: proposereyebrow: le sourcilto suggest: suggérersolution: la solutiontension: la tensionto lighten: détendrecorner: l'angleto tick: tournerbreath: le souffleheart racing: le cœur battant la chamadesilence: le silenceto burst: éclaterjoyful: joyeuxincredible: incroyablememory: le souvenirrelieved: soulagéto embrace: embrasserunexpected: l'imprévucourage: le couragepresent moment: l'instant présent
Jesse Lee Peterson is a pastor, radio host, and political commentator known for outspoken and often controversial views on religion, gender roles, and social issues. In discussions framed around statements such as “Women Are Beneath Men and the Bible Says So,” Peterson argues from his interpretation of biblical hierarchy and traditionalist theology, presenting a perspective that emphasizes male leadership and structured family roles. His positions generate strong public debate, with critics challenging both the theological basis and social implications, while supporters view his stance as a defense of traditional religious doctrine. His commentary sits at the intersection of faith interpretation, cultural politics, and modern discourse on gender and authority.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-x-zone-radio-tv-show--1078348/support.Please note that all XZBN radio and/or television shows are Copyright © REL-MAR McConnell Meda Company, Niagara, Ontario, Canada – www.rel-mar.com. For more Episodes of this show and all shows produced, broadcasted and syndicated from REL-MAR McConell Media Company and The 'X' Zone Broadcast Network and the 'X' Zone TV Channell, visit www.xzbn.net. For programming, distribution, and syndication inquiries, email programming@xzbn.net.We are proud to announce the we have launched TWATNews.com, launched in August 2025.TWATNews.com is an independent online news platform dedicated to uncovering the truth about Donald Trump and his ongoing influence in politics, business, and society. Unlike mainstream outlets that often sanitize, soften, or ignore stories that challenge Trump and his allies, TWATNews digs deeper to deliver hard-hitting articles, investigative features, and sharp commentary that mainstream media won't touch.These are stories and articles that you will not read anywhere else.Our mission is simple: to expose corruption, lies, and authoritarian tendencies while giving voice to the perspectives and evidence that are often marginalized or buried by corporate-controlled media
Fluent Fiction - Serbian: Unveiling Kalemegdan: The Secret Beneath Serbia's Snow Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/sr/episode/2026-02-17-23-34-02-sr Story Transcript:Sr: Кроз снегом покривени Калемегдан ишао је мален тим од троје људи.En: Through the snow-covered Kalemegdan, a small team of three people walked.Sr: Весна, историчарка пуног срца, Марко, њен колега с мало страсти али истим циљем, и Славко, чувар парка с боговима мислима.En: Vesna, a historian full of heart, Marko, her colleague with little passion but the same goal, and Slavko, a park guard with godlike thoughts.Sr: Сециран пејзаж Београдске тврђаве цртао је слику спокоја, али испод површине крио се пећински лавиринт мистерије.En: The dissected landscape of the Belgrade Fortress painted a picture of tranquility, but beneath the surface lay a cavernous labyrinth of mystery.Sr: Веснино срце куцало је јаче него иначе.En: Vesna's heart was beating harder than usual.Sr: Осећала је да су на прагу великог открића.En: She felt they were on the verge of a great discovery.Sr: Гласине су шапутале о давно изгубљеном артефакту који би могао променити ток историје Србије.En: Rumors whispered about a long-lost artifact that could change the course of Serbia's history.Sr: Весна је желела да докаже снагу своје стручности, не само свом ментору већ и самом себи.En: Vesna wanted to prove the strength of her expertise, not only to her mentor but also to herself.Sr: "Морамо брзо радити," рекао је Марко, горд на идеју славе која их чека.En: "We must work quickly," said Marko, proud of the idea of the fame that awaited them.Sr: Док је његов поглед пролазио преко снегом прекривеног пејзажа, мислио је како би његово име могло постати део великог историјског записа.En: As his gaze passed over the snow-covered landscape, he thought about how his name might become part of a great historical record.Sr: Али, Весна није осећала исту жудњу за славом.En: But Vesna did not feel the same yearning for fame.Sr: Њена је страст била дубља.En: Her passion was deeper.Sr: Славко, човек из сена са својим тајнама, водио је својим познанством са парком.En: Slavko, a man of shadows with his own secrets, led them with his knowledge of the park.Sr: „Постоје стари тунели овде,“ промрмљао је као да говори самом себи.En: "There are old tunnels here," he murmured as if speaking to himself.Sr: Желудац му се стезао са сваким кораком, јер је знао да је овај артефакт могао донети мир његовој рањеној души.En: His stomach tightened with each step because he knew that this artifact could bring peace to his wounded soul.Sr: Док је олуја почела да завија, тројац је открио стару капију, једва приметну испод снега.En: As the storm began to howl, the trio discovered an old gate, barely noticeable under the snow.Sr: Весна је чучнула и погледала је боље.En: Vesna crouched down and looked more closely.Sr: Једва видљиви петроглифи наговештавали су пут напред.En: Barely visible petroglyphs hinted at the path ahead.Sr: Снег је био све гушћи, али Веснина решеност је била непоколебљива.En: The snow was getting thicker, but Vesna's resolve was unyielding.Sr: Уз помоћ Славкових упутстава и Маркове непрестане жеље за открићем, коначно су пронашли просторију где је артефакт лежао скривен.En: With the help of Slavko's guidance and Marko's relentless desire for discovery, they finally found the chamber where the artifact lay hidden.Sr: Била је то прелепа стара реликвија, више симбол мира него моћи.En: It was a beautiful old relic, more a symbol of peace than power.Sr: Тамо, Весна је схватила да је права моћ у знању и сарадњи.En: There, Vesna realized that true power lies in knowledge and collaboration.Sr: У хладној, али мирној просторији, Марко је одахнуо, а Славко је с осмехом прихватио ново поглавље.En: In the cold but peaceful room, Marko sighed with relief, and Slavko embraced the new chapter with a smile.Sr: Изложен снегу и ветру, Весна је коначно осетила сигурност и испуњење.En: Exposed to snow and wind, Vesna finally felt security and fulfillment.Sr: Немања га је однела у познати и пријатељски загрљај. Тиме су оставили део историје за будуће генерације и нова открића.En: They took it in a familiar and friendly embrace, leaving a part of history for future generations and new discoveries.Sr: Јер, као што је Весна научила, тајне су скривене да би их, с временом, открили они са чистим срцем и чврстим одлучивањем.En: For, as Vesna learned, secrets are hidden to be uncovered over time by those with pure hearts and firm determination.Sr: Весна се вратила, сигурна у своје способности, спремна да воли сваки делић историје који открије њеним путовањима.En: Vesna returned, confident in her abilities, ready to love every piece of history she uncovers in her journeys.Sr: Снег је падао све тише док су се враћали у стварност, али артефакт са својим мистеријама остао је као сећање на дан који је променио све.En: The snow was falling ever more quietly as they returned to reality, but the artifact, with its mysteries, remained as a memory of a day that changed everything. Vocabulary Words:snow-covered: снегом покривениhistorian: историчаркаtranquility: спокојаbeneath: исподcavernous: пећинскиlabyrinth: лавиринтverge: прагdiscovery: открићаartifact: артефактwhispered: шапуталеprove: докажеexpertise: стручностиyearning: жудњуrelentless: непрестанеshadows: сенаsecrets: тајнамаmurmured: промрмљаоtightened: стезаоhowl: завијаcrouched: чучнулаpetroglyphs: петроглифиresolve: решеностunyielding: непоколебљиваguidance: упутставаrelic: реликвијаsymbol: симболfulfillment: испуњењеembrace: загрљајdetermination: одлучивањемpure: чистим
Send a textPeasant has an all-star hospitality team, and from the moment you walk through the door, you feel at home. Beneath the soft glow of candlelight, superstar chef Marc Forgione's food arrives as the scent of the wood-burning oven teases your senses. And that's just the beginning. Big shout out to Cara and Irakly for that special touch that keeps people coming back Check out the website: www.drinkingonthejob.com for great past episodes. Everyone from Iron Chefs, winemakers, journalist and more.
We speak of spiritual transformation as if it should be obvious: visible, measurable, steady. Yet many of us quietly wonder what participation in God's work of transformation actually looks like. Beneath our theology often exists a deeper question: How do I actually step into the transformation Christ has already secured? In this episode, we explore what it means to let the finished work of Jesus move from doctrine into lived experience. If the cross is still active, still transformative, then healing is not something we manufacture. It's something we learn to participate in. And that participation begins with awareness and presence: noticing what is happening inside us and inviting God to meet us there. Thought-provoking quotes: “The cross is where transformation arises. It's the moment in time that transcends time. It moves us from death to life, from bondage to freedom, from brokenness to wholeness, from being lost to being welcomed into God's embrace over and over again.” - Taylor Joy Murray “Healing begins not in striving, but in noticing what is real and welcoming God into it.” - Taylor Joy Murray Get Faith & Feeling's weekly resource email Watch this episode on YouTube Grab a copy of my book Stop Saying I'm Fine Connect with me on my website Find me on Instagram @__taylorjoy__ Key words: healing journey, presence, self compassion, curiosity, self awareness, emotional wounds, emotional regulation, spiritual formation, wisdom, spiritual integration, spiritual maturity, emotional health, personal growth
This week, Tee is excited to welcome Derek Hales, founder and editor of NapLab. With more than 11 years of experience, Derek has personally tested over 500 mattresses to deliver objective, data-driven reviews and recommendations. He shares how a frustrating in-store mattress shopping experience with his wife sparked the idea for NapLab and ultimately led him to build one of the most trusted sleep-review platforms available today. Derek breaks down the rigorous, hands-on testing methods used at NapLab and outlines the key factors consumers should consider when purchasing a mattress. The conversation covers mattress materials, performance differences across types, the role of toxicity and off-gassing in mattress production, and common misconceptions that often mislead buyers. The episode also underscores the critical role quality sleep plays in overall health and well-being. Tee and Derek close with practical, actionable advice for making a confident mattress purchase, along with guidance on where listeners can find additional resources and personalized recommendations through NapLab. Connect with Derek and NapLab: Website Nap Quiz LinkedIn Instagram YouTube Follow Therese "Tee" Forton-Barnes and The Green Living Gurus: Austin Air Purifiers: For podcast listeners, take 15% off any Austin Air product; please email Tee@thegreenlivinggurus.com and mention that you want to buy a product and would like the discount. See all products here: Austin Air The Green Living Gurus' Website Instagram YouTube Facebook Healthy Living Group on Facebook Tip the podcaster! Support Tee and the endless information that she provides: Patreon Venmo: @Therese-Forton-Barnes last four digits of her cell are 8868 For further info, contact Tee: Email: Tee@thegreenlivinggurus.com Cell: 716-868-8868 DISCLAIMER: ALL INFORMATION PROVIDED HERE IS GENERAL GUIDANCE AND NOT MEANT TO BE USED FOR INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR PROVIDER OR DOCTOR FOR MEDICAL ADVICE. Produced By: Social Chameleon
Fluent Fiction - Danish: Mystery Beneath the Ice: A Riveting Nyhavn Discovery Story Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/da/episode/2026-02-16-08-38-20-da Story Transcript:Da: Nyhavn havn lå stille under vinterens greb.En: Nyhavn harbor lay quiet under winter's grip.Da: Sneen dalede ned over de farverige huse, mens kanalen var dækket af et tyndt lag is.En: Snow fell over the colorful houses while the canal was covered with a thin layer of ice.Da: Inde på sit kontor sad Niels, en historieprofessor med en hemmelig fascination for uløste gåder. Hans blik var fæstnet på brevet foran sig.En: Inside his office, Niels, a history professor with a secret fascination for unsolved mysteries, sat with his gaze fixed on the letter before him.Da: Brevet kom uden afsender.En: The letter came with no sender.Da: Der var kun en enkelt sætning: "Under isen ligger sandheden."En: There was only a single sentence: "Under the ice lies the truth."Da: Niels kiggede ud af det store vindue og mærkede en gysen ved tanken om, hvad der kunne ligge under den frosne overflade af Nyhavn.En: Niels looked out of the large window, feeling a shiver at the thought of what might lie beneath the frozen surface of Nyhavn.Da: Niels elskede gåder, men dette brev bragte uro.En: Niels loved mysteries, but this letter brought unease.Da: Han vidste, at han måtte finde ud af, hvad det betød.En: He knew he had to find out what it meant.Da: Men var det klogt?En: But was it wise?Da: Kunne han stole på Kaj og Ingrid, hans nærmeste venner?En: Could he trust Kaj and Ingrid, his closest friends?Da: De havde altid støttet ham, men han frygtede for deres sikkerhed.En: They had always supported him, but he feared for their safety.Da: Alligevel besluttede Niels sig for at følge instruktionerne.En: Nevertheless, Niels decided to follow the instructions.Da: Han var ikke en mand, der vendte tilbage, når først han havde sat sig et mål.En: He was not a man who turned back once he set himself a goal.Da: Han gik ned til havnen, hans sko knirkede i sneen.En: He went down to the harbor, his shoes creaking in the snow.Da: Kaj og Ingrid mødte ham ved kajen.En: Kaj and Ingrid met him at the quay.Da: Niels havde talt med dem i telefonen og kunne ikke skjule sin nervøsitet.En: Niels had spoken with them on the phone and could not hide his nervousness.Da: Han fortalte dem om brevet.En: He told them about the letter.Da: Ingrid kiggede skeptisk, men blev også nysgerrig.En: Ingrid looked skeptical but also curious.Da: Kaj rystede på hovedet, "Det lyder farligt, men jeg er med."En: Kaj shook his head, "It sounds dangerous, but I'm in."Da: De bevægede sig hen mod den del af havnen, som Niels mente kunne huse en hemmelighed.En: They moved toward the part of the harbor that Niels thought could hold a secret.Da: Der var en lille båd, som kunne komme tættere på isen.En: There was a small boat that could get closer to the ice.Da: De satte sig forsigtigt ind.En: They carefully got in.Da: Niels brugte en hakke til at bryde isen.En: Niels used a pick to break the ice.Da: De andre hjalp.En: The others helped.Da: Pludselig brød en stor bane af is, og en trækasse kom til syne.En: Suddenly, a large sheet of ice broke away, and a wooden crate emerged.Da: Hans hjerte bankede hurtigere.En: His heart beat faster.Da: Men de var ikke alene.En: But they were not alone.Da: En skikkelse kom frem fra skyggerne.En: A figure emerged from the shadows.Da: En mand, der også havde fulgt brevet.En: A man who had also followed the letter.Da: "Det er min," råbte han.En: "It's mine," he shouted.Da: Niels stod fast.En: Niels stood firm.Da: "Vi deler det."En: "We share it."Da: Kaj og Ingrid stod ved hans side.En: Kaj and Ingrid stood by his side.Da: De åbnede kassen og fandt gamle dokumenter og kort.En: They opened the crate and found old documents and maps.Da: Det var en skat, ja, men ikke materielt.En: It was a treasure, yes, but not a material one.Da: Skatten var en del af Københavns historie, bevaret gennem tidens tand.En: The treasure was a part of Copenhagen's history, preserved through the ages.Da: Manden trak sig væk med et tilfreds smil.En: The man withdrew with a satisfied smile.Da: "Jeg ville bare sikre mig, det blev fundet af de rette."En: "I just wanted to make sure it was found by the right people."Da: Da Niels kom hjem, reflekterede han over dagen.En: When Niels came home, he reflected on the day.Da: Det var aldrig skatten, han søgte.En: It was never the treasure he sought.Da: Det var eventyret, forståelsen for gåderne og at dele sin rejse.En: It was the adventure, the understanding of mysteries, and sharing his journey.Da: Han følte sig mere forbundet til Kaj og Ingrid end nogensinde før.En: He felt more connected to Kaj and Ingrid than ever before.Da: Næste dag, da sneen fortsat faldt over Nyhavn, samlede de sig igen.En: The next day, as the snow continued to fall over Nyhavn, they gathered again.Da: Niels havde en lille gave til hver af dem - kopier af deres fund.En: Niels had a small gift for each of them—copies of their find.Da: De skålede med varm kakao på caféen ved vandet.En: They toasted with hot cocoa at the café by the water.Da: Det var begyndelsen på mange eventyr sammen.En: It was the beginning of many adventures together.Da: Niels havde åbnet sig for verden, og det føltes godt.En: Niels had opened himself to the world, and it felt good. Vocabulary Words:harbor: havngrip: grebfascination: fascinationunsolved: uløstemysteries: gådergaze: blikshiver: gysenunease: uroinstructions: instruktionernecreaking: knirkedeskeptical: skeptiskquay: kajennervousness: nervøsitetcrated: trækasseemerged: kom til synewithdraw: trak sig vækadventure: eventyrdocuments: dokumentermaps: kortmaterial: materieltpreserved: bevaretconnected: forbundetfroze: frosnesurface: overfladefortune: skatreflected: reflekteredegoal: målcurious: nysgerrigshadow: skyggernesharing: dele
In this episode, We All Have a Nineveh: When God Calls Us Beyond Comfort, we revisit the familiar story of Jonah and uncover a leadership lesson that speaks directly to our daily decisions. Most leaders assume that when God calls, the direction will make sense. We expect obedience to align with our strengths, our plans, and our sense of fairness. But Jonah's story reminds us that God's assignments often stretch beyond our comfort zones. Nineveh wasn't simply inconvenient for Jonah—it was offensive to him. He didn't run because he misunderstood God's command. He ran because he understood God's mercy. That tension still lives in the hearts of leaders today. We may not board ships in the opposite direction, but we delay hard conversations, avoid uncomfortable assignments, or quietly resist the direction God is leading us. Beneath the reasoning often lies a deeper issue: obedience is asking more than we want to give. This episode explores how our personal "Nineveh" reveals what's really happening in our hearts. It may expose fear, pride, resentment, or a narrow view of grace. Yet God doesn't reveal these things to condemn us—He reveals them to form us. You'll also discover why avoiding God's call never cancels it, how delayed obedience often creates unnecessary storms, and why the assignments we resist most are often the ones God uses to shape our leadership character. Jonah's story shows us that Nineveh was not just his mission—it was his mirror. Ultimately, this episode invites leaders to reflect on a simple but searching question: What is your Nineveh? Where might God be calling you beyond comfort into obedience, mercy, and growth? Because the place we resist most is often the place where God is waiting to meet us.
BY DANIEL SPINO THE OAK ISLAND COMPENDIUM © 2026
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We go over level 17. We then put our plan in action to intercept a grave giant currier who traffics in shadow ash. After that encounter, we put together some clues and head deep under the city of Yled.Get more great MNmaxed and PF2E content on our YouTubeTalk to us and other MNmaxed listeners in DiscordTo support MNmaxed, check out our PatreonAdditional audio is provided by TabletopAudio.comSupport the show
True Cheating Stories 2023 - Best of Reddit NSFW Cheating Stories 2023
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This is a Grave Talks CLASSIC EPISODE!Known as the “Scenic City,” Chattanooga is celebrated for its mountain views, historic railways, and riverfront charm. Beneath that surface lies a quieter history shaped by industry, travel, and lives that never fully moved on.Along the Tennessee River, stories persist of lingering presences tied to the Delta Queen, where former passengers and crew are said to remain. At the city's grand Terminal Station, reports of a restless porter echo the building's past as a place of constant arrival and departure.Below street level, an overlooked network of underground tunnels tells another side of Chattanooga's story. Once used for movement and infrastructure, these sealed passageways are often linked to unexplained sounds, shadowy movement, and the sense that something still occupies the darkness.Chattanooga's hauntings are woven through its landscape — from riverbanks to rail lines to what lies beneath the streets — reminders that some histories don't fade, they linger.#TheGraveTalks #HauntedChattanooga #ScenicCity #ParanormalHistory #GhostCities #SouthernHauntings #TrueParanormal #HauntedTennessee Love real ghost stories? Want even more?Become a supporter and unlock exclusive extras, ad-free episodes, and advanced access:
Join us on Patreon for more content and connection: https://patreon.com/kindmind Valentine's Day can mean more than a commercialized celebration of romance. Beneath its familiar gestures—hearts, chocolate, roses, keys, and arrows—lie sacred symbols about devotion, sacrifice, and transformation. St. Valentine, whether as a historical martyr or a mystical archetype, represents love as an act of defiance against fear, a secret initiation into spiritual surrender, and a bridge between the earthly and the eternal.
The legendary surfer has grieved the deaths of her adoptive mother, stepmother and birth mother. Only later in life did she realise her drive to win came from a place of loss, and Layne needed to look inward to find her place off the podium.Layne is a legendary surfer who is the first person ever to win six consecutive world titles.Since her childhood spent on Sydney's Northern Beaches, Layne has loved being in the water but it wasn't until later in life that she realised her relentless drive to win came from a confusion about who she belonged with on land.Part of her drive to prove her worth and her place came from her experiences of loss.When Layne was 6 years old, her adopted mother Valerie died. Then, her step-mother Christina died after a long battle with breast cancer.Twenty years after Layne reconnected with her birth mother, Maggie, she flew to America to be by Maggie's side as she took her last breaths.Losing three mothers in one lifetime caused Layne to equate motherhood with loss and abandonment. But after retiring and learning to slow down, Layne turned inward and finally found herself along the way.Content warning: this episode of Conversations contains discussion of adoption and grief.Layne's memoir Beneath the Waves was written with Michael Gordon and published in 2009 by Penguin.Her latest book, Awake Academy, was written with Tess Brouwer and is published by Penguin.This episode of Conversations was produced by Meggie Morris. Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison.It explores grief, cancer, death, dying, surfing, pro surfers, Manly, Freshwater, Hawaii, Ken Bradshaw, Kelly Slater, Molly Picklum, Stephanie Gilmore, Kirk Pengilly, love, marriage, stepmother, motherhood, menopause, slowing down, fitness later in life, introspection, awake academy, meditation, beach, ovarian cancer, brain haemorrhage, fatherhood, Tess Brouwer, elite athletes, professional athletes.To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you'll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.
Fluent Fiction - Hebrew: Love Blooms Beneath the Bunker: A Winter's Tale in Tel Aviv Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/he/episode/2026-02-13-08-38-20-he Story Transcript:He: בבוקר קר וסוער של חורף, תרגיל חרום התנהל בתל אביב.En: On a cold and stormy winter morning, an emergency drill was taking place in Tel Aviv.He: אליאור, מומחה חירום רציני, עבד במשרדו כשקיבל הודעה על התרגיל.En: Elior, a serious emergency expert, was working in his office when he received the notification about the drill.He: הוא מיהר לרדת לבונקר שמתחת למרכז העיר.En: He hurried down to the bunker beneath the city center.He: הבונקר היה חשוך וקר, עם אספקת חירום מפוזרת ומשולחנות מוסדרים בצורה מסודרת.En: The bunker was dark and cold, with emergency supplies scattered around and tables arranged neatly.He: תאורת פלורוסנט זימזמה, מעניקה מקום תחושה מעורפלת של מתח ושלווה ביחד.En: Fluorescent lighting buzzed, giving the place an ambiguous feeling of tension and tranquility together.He: תמר, רכזת מתנדבים פתוחה ובעלת אישיות נעימה, כבר חיכתה שם.En: Tamar, an open-minded volunteer coordinator with a pleasant personality, was already waiting there.He: זה לא היה עבורה תרגיל שגרתי, היא רגילה להיות מוקפת באנשים ובשמחה.En: This was not a routine drill for her; she was used to being surrounded by people and joy.He: היא חיפשה מקום לשבת בו ושמה לב לאליאור שהגיע עם מפה גדולה של העיר.En: She looked for a place to sit and noticed Elior arriving with a large map of the city.He: הם נפגשו לראשונה ליד אחד מהשולחנות עם הציוד.En: They met for the first time near one of the tables with equipment.He: "שלום, אני אליאור," הוא אמר בקול נמוך.En: "Hello, I'm Elior," he said in a low voice.He: "אני תמר," היא חייכה, "אני כאן מתמחה בתרגיל עם הצוות שלנו.En: "I'm Tamar," she smiled, "I'm here interning with our team for the drill."He: " היא שמחה לראות מישהו שאין לו בעיה עם אזהרות חירום ומתייחס ברצינות לכל דבר.En: She was glad to see someone who had no problem dealing with emergency warnings and took everything seriously.He: שניהם הרגישו איך השקט בין הקירות מוצא מקום בליבותיהם.En: Both of them felt how the silence between the walls found a place in their hearts.He: "אני תמיד אוהב לדעת שאנשים בטוחים," אליאור הוסיף אחרי כמה רגעים של שקט.En: "I always like knowing that people are safe," Elior added after a few moments of silence.He: תמר חייכה אליו: "זה חשוב, להרגיש בטוחים במיוחד במצבים כאלו.En: Tamar smiled at him: "It's important to feel safe, especially in situations like these."He: "בזמן התרגיל, נשמעות אזעקות והאוויר בבונקר הפך לכבד.En: During the drill, alarms sounded and the air in the bunker became heavy.He: הם שיתפו פעולה, אליאור הסביר את ראשי התיבות והמפות, ותמר הובילה בסיוע האנשים המעטים שהיו שם.En: They collaborated, with Elior explaining the acronyms and maps, and Tamar leading in assisting the few people who were there.He: ברגע של חרדה, כשמכשיר קשר לא עבד, הם מצאו עצמם בצורך להסתמך זה על זו.En: In a moment of anxiety, when a walkie-talkie stopped working, they found themselves needing to rely on each other.He: "הרגשתי אמון בידיך," אמרה תמר כשמכשיר הקשר התחיל לעבוד שוב.En: "I felt trust in your hands," said Tamar when the walkie-talkie started working again.He: אליאור הסתכל עליה ואמר: "התחלתי להבין שאולי אני צריך לפתוח את עצמי יותר.En: Elior looked at her and said: "I've started to understand that maybe I need to open myself more.He: אולי גם מחוץ לעבודה.En: Maybe even outside of work."He: " תמר הסכימה כשאמרה: "כולנו צריכים להיות אמיתיים, לא רק פסאדה חזקה.En: Tamar agreed, saying: "We all need to be real, not just a strong facade."He: "בסוף התרגיל, הם יצאו מהבונקר.En: At the end of the drill, they exited the bunker.He: בחוץ, השלג הראשון של החורף החל לרדת בעדינות.En: Outside, the first snow of winter began to fall gently.He: "רוצה להיפגש שוב?En: "Would you like to meet again?He: אולי בביתה קפה, בלי אזעקות?En: Maybe at a café, without alarms?"He: " הציע אליאור בחיוך חששני.En: Elior suggested with a timid smile.He: תמר השיבה בניצוץ עיניים: "בשמחה.En: Tamar replied with a twinkle in her eye: "Happily.He: נצא למשהו פשוט יותר.En: Let's go for something simpler."He: "והם עזבו את הבונקר עם תקווה בלב, לקראת הבאות.En: And they left the bunker with hope in their hearts, looking forward to the future.He: אליאור התחיל את דרכו לשיתוף ונכונות להיפתח, ותמר מצאה את הדרך להרגיש שהיא יכולה להיות באמת היא עצמה, אפילו בלי לשמור על חזית קבועה.En: Elior began his journey towards sharing and openness, and Tamar found a way to feel she could truly be herself, even without maintaining a constant front.He: זה היה וולנטיין שונה מהרגיל, אבל אולי היה זה הטוב ביותר לשניהם.En: It was a different kind of Valentine's Day, but perhaps it was the best one for both of them. Vocabulary Words:stormy: סוערemergency: חירוםbunker: בונקרscattered: מפוזרתfluorescent: פלורוסנטambiguous: מעורפלתtension: מתחtranquility: שלווהcoordinator: רכזתroutine: שגרתיinterning: מתמחהcollaborated: שיתפו פעולהanxiety: חרדהwalkie-talkie: מכשיר קשרfacade: פסאדהtimid: חששניgently: בעדינותtwinkle: ניצוץtrust: אמוןsupply: אספקתcenter: מרכזnotification: הודעהnotice: שמה לבequipment: ציודacronyms: ראשי התיבותconscious: מודעsilence: שקטconstantly: קבועהvolunteer: מתנדביםjourney: דרכוBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/fluent-fiction-hebrew--5818690/support.
Fluent Fiction - Hebrew: Beneath the Snow: A Winter's Tale of Secrets and Trust Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/he/episode/2026-02-13-23-34-02-he Story Transcript:He: זה היה חורף קר במיוחד.En: It was an especially cold winter.He: שלג כבד ירד מבחוץ, מכסה את העולם בלבן עבה.En: Heavy snow was falling outside, covering the world in a thick white layer.He: מתחת לקרקע, בבונקר סודי מחוץ לעיר, המציאות הייתה אחרת.En: Beneath the ground, in a secret bunker outside the city, the reality was different.He: הבונקר היה מקום מחסה, תוכנן בקפדנות על ידי איתן, מהנדס מקצועי ומיומן שהקדיש את חייו לבניית מקומות מבטחים לקראת כל מצב חירום אפשרי.En: The bunker was a refuge, meticulously designed by Eitan, a professional and skilled engineer who dedicated his life to building safe havens for any possible emergency situation.He: יום אחד, יעל ולוי, שני עיתונאים נועזים, הגיעו לבונקר בעקבות שמועות על אנשים שמסתתרים בו.En: One day, Yael and Levi, two bold journalists, arrived at the bunker following rumors of people hiding there.He: יעל הייתה עיתונאית חדורת מטרה, מחפשת סיפורים נסתרים, אך חוששת מסודות בעקבות בגידה בעבר.En: Yael was a determined journalist, seeking hidden stories, but cautious of secrets due to a past betrayal.He: לוי היה קולגה נמרץ וחסר פחד, תמיד מוכן להרפתקה הבאה.En: Levi was an energetic and fearless colleague, always ready for the next adventure.He: כשיעל פגשה את איתן, היא הייתה סקפטית.En: When Yael met Eitan, she was skeptical.He: הוא נראה קר ומרוחק, כאילו שמר על כל רגשותיו מאחורי חומה של פרקטיות.En: He seemed cold and distant, as if he kept all his emotions behind a wall of practicality.He: אבל עם הזמן, יעל גילתה שאיתן, למרות חיצוניותו הקשה, הוא אדם בודד מאוד.En: But over time, Yael discovered that Eitan, despite his tough exterior, was a very lonely person.He: הכימיה ביניהם התחילה לפרוח, למרות החשדנות ההדדית.En: The chemistry between them began to bloom, despite the mutual suspicion.He: בחג האהבה, כשהמתח בין יעל ואיתן התמתן מעט, הם הבינו שכדי לשרוד יחד, יש לשים את האמונות המוקדמות בצד.En: On Valentine's Day, as the tension between Yael and Eitan eased slightly, they realized that to survive together, they must set aside their preconceived notions.He: חבריהם מחוץ לבונקר הזהירו מסופת שלגים גדולה המתקרבת, והזמן היה מוגבל.En: Their friends outside the bunker warned of a large approaching snowstorm, and time was limited.He: ובזמן שסופת השלג קרבה ובאה, מצאו עצמם יעל, איתן ולוי בדילמה מוסרית – האם לפתוח את הדלת ללוי שהמתין בחוץ, או להשאיר אותו שם מסוכן?En: As the snowstorm loomed closer, Yael, Eitan, and Levi found themselves in a moral dilemma—whether to open the door for Levi, who was waiting outside, or leave him in harm's way.He: יעל החליטה לפתוח את ליבה ואת הדלתות ללוי ואמרה לאיתן על כוונותיה האמיתיות.En: Yael decided to open her heart and the doors to Levi and revealed her true intentions to Eitan.He: הם סגרו את הכניסה יחד, לרבים הם נהיו קבוצה מגובשת אשר לומדת לעבוד בשיתוף פעולה.En: They closed the entrance together, and gradually they became a cohesive group learning to work in collaboration.He: במהלך הימים שחלפו, יעל הבינה שבמקום לשפוט את איתן על החומות שהקים סביבו, היא צריכה להתמקד בהקמת גשרים.En: As the days passed, Yael realized that instead of judging Eitan for the walls he had built around himself, she needed to focus on building bridges.He: כשהסופה נרגעה והשלג החל להפשיר, יצאו שלושת השותפים לאור היום.En: As the storm subsided and the snow began to melt, the three partners emerged into the daylight.He: הם הצליחו להבין זה את זה טוב יותר, וכך יעל למדה מחדש לפתוח את ליבה ולתת אמון.En: They managed to understand each other better, and thus Yael learned once again to open her heart and trust.He: איתן כבר לא היה רק בכותרות שלה אלא שותף למשימה, וחבר.En: Eitan was no longer just a headline in her stories, but a partner in the mission, and a friend.He: הבונקר הפך לבית חם, מלא בשיתוף פעולה ובתחושת קהילה, מקום שבו סיפורים חדשים יכולים להיכתב והמטרות של יעל יכולות להתגשם בצורה שהפתיעה אף יותר ממה שציפתה.En: The bunker became a warm home, full of cooperation and a sense of community, a place where new stories could be written and Yael's goals could be realized in a way that was even more surprising than she had anticipated. Vocabulary Words:especially: במיוחדcovering: מכסהbeyond: מעברrefuge: מקום מחסהmeticulously: בזהירותengineer: מהנדסdedicated: הקדישhavens: מבטחיםemergency: חירוםskeptical: סקפטיתdistant: מרוחקemotions: רגשותchemistry: כימיהbloom: לפרוחpreconceived: מוקדמותnotions: אמונותapproaching: מתקרבתloomed: קרבהdilemma: דילמהmoral: מוסריתintentions: כוונותcohesive: מגובשתcollaboration: שיתוף פעולהjudging: לשפוטbridges: גשריםsubsided: נרגעהmelt: להפשירdaylight: אור יוםcommunity: קהילהanticipated: ציפתהBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/fluent-fiction-hebrew--5818690/support.
Fluent Fiction - Hungarian: Beneath the Bunker: A Secret Competition Sparks Change Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/hu/episode/2026-02-13-08-38-20-hu Story Transcript:Hu: A hideg tél elcsendesült a felszínen, miközben odalent az alacsony fényű bunker falai között izgatott suttogások visszhangoztak.En: The cold winter quieted on the surface, while excited whispers echoed within the low-lit walls of the bunker below.Hu: A beton szürke, komor.En: The concrete was gray, grim.Hu: Az iskolai titkos verseny minden évben itt zajlik, elrejtve a kíváncsi tekintetek elől.En: The school's secret competition took place here every year, hidden from prying eyes.Hu: Eszter és András egymás mellé kerültek, egy csapatban, a kihívások tengerében.En: Eszter and András found themselves teamed up, navigating a sea of challenges.Hu: Eszter a csapatmunka higgadt építője, belül rejtve egy pillangókat rebbentő titkot: évek óta szerette Andrást.En: Eszter was the calm builder of teamwork, hiding within her a secret that made butterflies flutter: she had loved András for years.Hu: Most, a verseny napján, szívében ott lüktetett a vágy, hogy megszerezze András elismerését.En: Now, on the day of the competition, her heart pulsed with a desire to earn András's admiration.Hu: Ezzel szemben András, csupa magabiztosság, céltudatosan haladt előre.En: In contrast, András, full of confidence, moved forward with determination.Hu: Azt akarta, hogy ők nyerjenek.En: He wanted them to win.Hu: Hosszú folyosókon keresztül, nehéz kapuk mögött, Eszter és András a feszültség szikrázó szálán egymásba kapaszkodtak.En: Through long corridors and behind heavy doors, Eszter and András clung to the sparking thread of tension between them.Hu: Az első feladathoz érve András azonnal nekilátott a tervének.En: Reaching the first task, András immediately set to work on his plan.Hu: Gyors volt, talán túlságosan is.En: He was quick, perhaps too quick.Hu: Eszter aggodalma növekedett.En: Eszter's worry grew.Hu: "Mi lenne, ha hibázunk?" gondolta.En: "What if we make a mistake?" she thought.Hu: - Vigyázzunk, András - szólt csendesen, de András éppen rájuk mosolygott, biztosítva, hogy minden rendben lesz.En: "Let's be careful, András," she said quietly, but András simply smiled at them, assuring her that everything would be fine.Hu: Újabb kihívás érkezett.En: A new challenge arrived.Hu: Ez egy bonyolult kirakós.En: It was a complicated puzzle.Hu: András ötlete hallatán Eszter ráébredt, hogy talán most jött el az idő változtatni.En: Hearing András's idea, Eszter realized that perhaps the time had come to make a change.Hu: A percek fogytak, a feszültség növekedett.En: The minutes dwindled, and the tension grew.Hu: Őszintén kételkedett András logikájában, de fejben már kész volt saját megoldására.En: She sincerely doubted András's logic but was mentally prepared with her own solution.Hu: Egy gyors pillantást vetett András arcára.En: She cast a quick glance at András's face.Hu: Határozottság ült meg benne, de Eszter érezte, hogy az ő megérzései most a helyesek.En: Determination was etched on it, but Eszter felt that her instincts were now correct.Hu: Egy döntő pillanatban Eszter csendben módosított a megoldáson.En: In a decisive moment, Eszter quietly adjusted the solution.Hu: Az idő szoros volt, de a darab a helyére került.En: Time was tight, but the piece fell into place.Hu: A kattanás zaját követte az elszánt tekintetük összekapcsolódása.En: The click was followed by the connection of their determined gazes.Hu: Nyertünk!En: We've won!Hu: A bunker belsejében hirtelen hangos örömkiáltás tört fel.En: An outburst of loud joy erupted suddenly inside the bunker.Hu: Bár a verseny végeztével Eszter még nem tudta mondatokba önteni érzéseit András iránt, a győzelem felett érzett közös öröm új kaput nyitott köztük.En: Although after the competition Eszter still couldn't put her feelings for András into words, the shared joy over the victory opened a new door between them.Hu: A siker pillanatában Eszter rádöbbent, hogy többé nincs szüksége András elismerésére; saját erejének tudatában volt.En: In the moment of success, Eszter realized she no longer needed András's approval; she was aware of her own strength.Hu: A bunker falai között már csak a barátságos csend ül, miközben odakint a tél szelídül.En: Only a friendly silence remained within the bunker walls as outside, winter softened.Hu: Eszter megtalálta saját hangját, saját útját.En: Eszter had found her own voice, her own path.Hu: András és ő másképp néznek egymásra, egy hallgatólagosan megerősített szövetséggel, melyet a közös győzelem erősített meg.En: András and she now looked at each other differently, with a tacitly reinforced alliance, strengthened by their shared victory. Vocabulary Words:quieted: elcsendesültconcrete: betongrim: komorprying: kíváncsiteamed: egymás mellé kerülteknavigate: kapaszkodtakcalm: higgadtflutter: rebbenadmiration: elismerésdetermination: céltudatosságcorridor: folyosóhectic: feszültségsincere: őszintedoubt: kételkedikdecisive: döntőadjusted: módosítotttight: szorosetched: ült megoutburst: kitöréscollapse: összekapcsolódásrealize: rádöbbenapproval: elismeréswhisper: suttogáspuzzle: kirakóscomplicated: bonyolultinstinct: megérzésreinforce: megerősítettalliance: szövetségreveal: fedi felunderestimated: alábecsült
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Beneath the Disco Lights, Beyond the Wedding VowsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/true-cheating-wives-and-girlfriends-stories-2026-true-cheating-stories-podcast--5689182/support.
Poetry and baring the soul.Based on a post by Jorunn, in 4 parts. Listen to the ►Podcast at Connected.Arriving at her house, Leah and I carried my clothes up to the spare bedroom. I thanked Leah once again, then kissed her.Leah softly whispered, “Jorunn is downstairs!”I replied in the same whisper, “Then kiss me quietly.” And she did.I spent the remainder of the day doing my laundry, once Leah showed me how to use her Norwegian washing machine. Leah opened the clothes drying rack, and when done, I laid my clothes out to dry.For dinner, Leah prepared salmon fillets with boiled potatoes. As Jorunn and Leah washed the dishes, I sat on the center seat of the sofa, reflecting on the day. When they finished, both Jorunn and Leah rushed into the living room, extremely excited, and sat down on either side of me. Jorunn turned on the television and switched to Norwegian National Television. I wondered what the fuss was about.“Five more minutes,” yelped Jorunn.After a brief introduction, an old black-and-white movie started. Both Jorunn and Leah snuggled up tight against me and I put my arms around them. It felt great. The show, called “Dinner for One”, featured a 90-year-old countess celebrating her birthday. She invited four friends but outlived them all. Her butler decides to impersonate each of the four missing guests. As he slips into each of the roles, he drinks a toast, and quickly becomes intoxicated, leading to numerous sight gags. It felt good to laugh along with people again. It was rather short, and when it ended, Leah told me it was the most repeated television show of all time and is quite popular in Scandinavian countries and northern Europe.Leah and Jorunn went around rearranging and straightening Christmas decorations, then announced it was time to make Julekurver. I heard of them, but never actually made one. Made of paper, they are heart-shaped and filled with sweets.We quickly cleared the dining room table, then covered it with red and white paper, a plastic rule, a plastic circle, and scissor. Leah and Jorunn both moved quickly, folding a sheet of paper of each color, and I followed their action. Then it was time to measure and cut, and fortunately, they slowed down to allow me to keep up. Using a circle, we marked a half circle and cut the excess away. Then cut strips into the paper, not going all the way across. We wove the red and white papers together in a checkerboard pattern and unfolded them into a perfect heart shape. I thought the process rather inefficient and decided to show off my engineering skills from 3M by making a fancier one. As I unfolded it, Jorunn and Leah laughed, and a moment later, I discovered one way not to make a Julekurver.After a long and active day, I was tired, so I went to bed. Both Jorunn and Leah were talking softly in the living room as I drifted off to sleep.A nocturnal visitorDecember 23rd - Just Before MidnightI was startled awake when I heard my bedroom door close, followed by a soft, “Shush!”I listened closely in the total darkness for footsteps and heard someone approach my bed. Leah must be ready to resume what we started back at the hotel! A hand pulled back the covers, and instinctively I slid toward the middle of the bed to make space. Leah slid in next to me and drew the covers back over us.Leah moved and shifted, and a hand found the back of my head. I expected her lips to follow, and they did. Soft and gentle, a wonderful way for my nocturnal visitor to say hello. Leah told me at the hotel she did not want to feel rushed, so there was no urgency. Her lips retreated, and her hand slid down to caress my cheek, as delicate fingers gently stroked me.I reached out and found her left shoulder as Leah faced me, then marveled at the smoothness as my hand traced her arm downward. Approaching her hand, I extended further to touch her hip. I began softly rubbing, but her ass beckoned, and my hand moved to cup and squeeze her firm cheek. My fingers began shooting sensations of warmth, softness, and inner firmness directly to my brain. I pulled Leah tight against me and discovered she was already completely naked.Leah swung her left leg over me and moved to an upright position, straddling my crotch. Beneath my boxer shorts, my erect cock fought for release. Her hand found my cock within its shelter but did not liberate it. Instead, her hand pushed my cock flat against my lower stomach, and she slid forward, trapping it with the swollen outer lips of her pussy. Leah began slowly gyrating, and even through the fabric of my boxers, I felt her pussy lips spreading as they slid along either side of my hidden cock.The hushed sounds of Leah cooing and moaning barely reached my ears, as dampness built between us. I reached up with both hands, found her small breasts, and used my thumbs to tease her nipples to an erection. A heavy breath followed by a long ‘uh. Oh; Ah!’ brought me close to premature orgasm, but this was not what Leah wanted, so I held back.Leah must have sensed I was close. She stopped gyrating, lifted herself, and then began inching herself up my torso. She paused for a moment and sat on my chest, then her hands reached out to touch my face. Two fingertips began touring my facial features as if Leah wanted to memorize every feature of my face. In the darkness, my senses heightened, her fingers swirled, and circled, and glided over me. I never would have imagined how erotic it felt.Leah resumed moving higher, her knees passing over my shoulders until they rested on either side of my head. I reached up to confirm what lay just inches above my face and grazed the same hairy splendor I sampled back at the hotel. Inhaling deeply, I picked up traces of the same body wash on her thighs. I was ready to dive back in, so I reached up and grabbed Leah’s hips, then pulled her pussy down toward my awaiting tongue. I paused as her short curly hair began painting her scent onto my face. The scent of arousal overpowered my senses. But? Something strange? I froze. The contradiction awoke my twilight dream state.“Why did you stop, Gunnar?” From the darkness came Jorunn’s voice! The dream of Leah's nocturnal visit was replaced by the reality of a beautiful young woman revealing her devotion and desire to this 56 year old guy.I was stunned. I couldn’t reveal the real reason I stopped; was uncertainty. Jorunn’s pussy smelled different than Leah’s! I hadn’t noticed any difference between Leah’s and Jorunn’s tall, fit bodies. If there were any, they were undetectable in the darkness, especially with only my brief exposure to Leah. “I can’t do this with you, Jorunn.” I softly and sincerely spoke.“I want to make love to you tonight, Gunnar. More than anything in the world. Am I not pretty enough? Has not enough time passed since your wife’s funeral? You are the only man in the world I can love to, without fear of being hurt.”“Jorunn, you are an incredibly beautiful woman. For months, I fantasized about holding you in my arms, kissing you, and wishing to be exactly where I am now. But yesterday, I met your mother.”Jorunn asked, “Did she order you not to have sex with me?”I replied, “It’s not that. I think I’m falling in love with Leah. We spent a wonderful day together, and she swept me off my feet. If that love turns out to be mutual, I am prepared to pledge my heart totally to her and her alone. A lifetime commitment, one I will never dishonor. The only reason you and I got this far tonight is that in the darkness and my dream state, I thought you were Leah. I never would have done it otherwise.” But you are a lovely and desirable woman. I respect you and Leah. So much that I cannot be false to either of you. And I cannot dishonor myself, by doing what I know is dishonorable.”Jorunn shifted positions and lay next to me in the bed. In the darkness, Jorunn whispered, “You are so unlike my father. He always put himself first. I was ready to give myself to you tonight. You could have kept quiet and let it happen. Then lied about it to my mother in the morning. But you didn’t. You are a better man than my father ever was, and I know you will make my mother happy. Please don’t be afraid to give her, and yourself, a chance. She really needs someone like you in her life.”I heard a soft sob and reached out to touch Jorunn’s face. She was crying. Jorunn came into my bedroom tonight, looking for someone to love. She didn’t know about Leah and me, or what happened between us at the hotel. I very much doubt her mother would have told her. I admired what Jorunn just did. She was sacrificing her chance at love so that her mother might have one. Jorunn knew that she bore the duty to initiate affection, after so harshly rejecting my romantic advances, last week.Silence followed, before Jorunn finally said, “What you have shown me, Gunnar, is that there are still good men in this world. But I am still afraid to look for them.”I thought back to the day Jorunn and I went sledging. “Remember what you told me at Korketrekkeren? You don’t need to be afraid of looking for a man, Jorunn. What you need to be afraid of is being too afraid to try looking for a man. Promise me that you will push off, just like riding a sledge, and start looking. When you reach the bottom of that scary hill, you will no longer be afraid, and someone you love will be waiting there for you.”“I will, Gunnar. I promise. And thank you.” Jorunn climbed out of my bed and closed the door as she left.Christmas EveDecember 24 - MorningI woke up in the guest room bed. Hearing noises and holiday folk music in the kitchen, I dressed and went downstairs. Leah smiled and said, “God Jul!”, Norwegian's way of saying merry Christmas. Then she made me scrambled eggs with smoked salmon. Afterward, I enjoyed a slice of fruited Christmas Cake with coffee.“Leah, there is something I need to tell you. Jorunn came into my room last night looking for a man to love. In the darkness and my dream state, I thought it was you. It took a moment for me to realize it was Jorunn, and I stopped myself before going too far. Jorunn and I talked, and I confessed my love for you, to her. She understood, and asked that I give that love a chance. I want to do that. I asked Jorunn to no longer be afraid to look for love, and she agreed.”“Thank you for telling me, Gunnar. I have struggled to get Jorunn to go on dates after her father hurt her so badly. You must be a special man to find a place in her heart.”Leah sat down at the table with me, and continued; “I trust Jorunn, and now I trust you. So you will know, I will come to you tonight, bearing a lighted candle.”I said, “That sounds romantic.” My cock jolted to attention, under my trousers. I smiled and winked.Leah replied, “Wait until you see what I will be wearing.” She stood and returned to her baking, as the soft holiday music filled the busy kitchen. Leah's hips softly gyrated to the soft beat as she hummed with the lyrics.Jorunn came down later for breakfast, and after eating, she announced she would be working on edits and voiceovers for her recent videos. Since they were related to Christmas, she wanted to finish them to post them later tonight.Just before lunch, Leah led me back to the television and as we snuggled on the couch, she turned on “Tre Notter til Askepott”, a 1973 Czech reenactment of Cinderella, dubbed into Norwegian. The story was familiar, with Cinderella granted three wishes. It was enjoyable, but the dubbed dialog did not quite match the lips of the actors, so I needed to concentrate on what they were saying. Leah mentioned that this show is so popular in Norway, that storms of protest arose one year when they decided not to broadcast it. They ended up sending it out later in the holiday.Jorunn joined Leah and me for lunch. We ate Risengrynsgrot, which is rice porridge cooked with milk, sugar, and vanilla. We each had a bowl, and hiding in one of the three bowls was an almond. I suspected possible cheating such that I would be the one getting the almond, but as it turned out, Jorunn got the lucky bowl. As her prize, Leah gave Jorunn a chocolate-covered marzipan pig, an oddity for certain, but part of the tradition. There was porridge left over, and Leah said she would use it to make Riskrem, the delicious rice dessert eaten after tonight’s dinner. Solveig’s Riskrem was one of my favorite parts of the holiday season, and I was looking forward to tasting Leah’s.Leah turned to me and said, “If you want to eat, you must help in the kitchen.”Cooking was not something I knew very well, and after Leah led me into the kitchen, I let her know that. But since we were alone, I moved behind her, pulled her blonde hair aside, and nuzzled her neck.Leah said, “If you don’t stop, Gunnar, it will take longer before we eat.” But she wiggled her hips into my crotch before spinning out of my embrace.I helped Leah remove a large roasting pan from the refrigerator and put it in the oven. “That’s a strange-looking piece of meat,” I said.Leah replied, “It is called Ribbe, or roasted pork belly. It is one of the most popular Christmas meals in Norway. I scored the fat layer on top two days ago into a checkerboard pattern. Once cooked, the bottom meat stays tender while the cracklings on top get crispy.”Leah handed me a vegetable peeler and pointed to a bag of potatoes. I needed no further instructions on this. While I worked, Leah flittered around the kitchen, preparing the side dishes. She looked genuinely happy, and we talked and laughed and told tales of Christmases long ago.Just as we pulled the Ribbe from the oven, church bells began ringing from multiple sources. It was 17:00.“It seems like an odd time for church bells,” I said.Leah replied, “In Scandinavia, a new day traditionally starts at sundown, not midnight. Following the old ways, Christmas Day has arrived. It is time to eat.”Jorunn joined us in the mad flurry of activity as places were set, and food moved from the kitchen to the dining room. On the table was Ribbe, boiled potatoes, meatballs, gravy, sausages, sauerkraut, prunes, and lingonberries. Leah poured each of us a tall glass of juleøl, a dark spiced ale, brewed during Christmas all over Norway. She said at one time, a Norwegian king made it illegal to Not brew Christmas Ale. Everything was delicious, and I ate until I could stuff in no more.After dinner, we cleaned up and went into the living room to enjoy coffee, cookies, and a small bowl of Riskrem. I wondered why Leah brought out four bowls of Riskrem. Three topped with whipped cream and a berry sauce, one with only a blob of butter in the middle.Leah said, “We set out a bowl of porridge every Christmas for the fjøsnissen. The tradition evolved from the days when farming families would offer porridge to their barn elf, or nisse. The nisse takes care of the animals in the barn during winter so they don’t get sick. If you don’t do this, the fjøsnissen will play tricks on you.”As we nibbled, Jorunn set the bowl of porridge outside the front door for the fjøsnissen. Then we sat and watched an American Christmas movie on television. After it ended, Leah announced it was time to open the presents. I suspected this would happen and was glad I bought a gift for both Leah and Jorunn. We each dispersed, returned with our packages, and placed them under the Christmas tree.As expected, Leah and Jorunn shared the most gifts for each other, opening the usual mix of chocolates, clothing, and kitchen items. Then Jorunn handed me a gift from her. I opened it and found a DVD labeled, 'Christmas in Norway Tour’, along with a link and instructions to download the video if I preferred. Jorunn told me she made an hour-long video of all the things we did together over the past week, adding music and voiceovers so I would remember the now-completed tour. In exceedingly small letters, at the bottom of the instructions, I saw a link for a story with a similar name and suspected it might be one full of adjectives.Jorunn then opened my gift to her. I remembered the small camera she used this past week and bought her a new top-of-the-line digital camera. From her reaction, I did well.Leah then opened my gift to her. I purchased a genuinely nice Advent star to hang in her window, since she did not have one. It was large and electrically lit and after opening it, she wanted to hang it up right away, which we did. Then we went outside to see how it looked. Leah kissed me and whispered that the Advent Star possessed a special meaning for her this year, a sign of brighter days ahead.Seeing us standing outside, a Julenissen crossed the street and came up to us. The man, dressed in a red jacket with a matching pointed red hat, carried a cloth sack. He was older, and his white beard looked genuine.Jorunn yelled, “God Jul, Julenissen!”As the Julenissen joined us, Leah said, “Nice to see you again, Mr. Bjornstad.”The Julenissen opened a small cloth sack, pulled out a straw goat wrapped with red ribbons, and handed it to Jorunn. Leah explained that the Julenissen come around to houses on Christmas Eve to hand out presents and chocolate to the children. Often, more than one Julenissen would knock on your door during the evening. Unlike America, children get to meet the Julenissen in Norway.“It wouldn’t be the same this year without one of your julebukk!” said an excited Jorunn. Mr. Bjornstad had been coming to Jorunn’s house for a long time, and told us he likes to keep alive the old Norse traditions, such as the julebukk. In addition to handing out hand-made gifts, he tells folklore stories and tales from the days of the Vikings. What a wonderful thing to do to preserve the ancient Norse legacy of sagas and storytelling.Leah excused herself as Mr. Bjornstad started telling such a tale to Jorunn and me. He described Valhalla, where Odin and the brave warriors would train by day, and feast on roast boar and ale at night. Leah returned a moment later with four glasses of Aquavit. We toasted the season and sipped our Aquavit with the Julenissen after the story ended. We then sang a Christmas song together.Then we went back inside and watched the DVD that Jorunn made. The tour sounded exciting and full of fun, which indeed, it was. It also gave Leah another chance to see me in action. It was a full evening, and close to 23:00 when the DVD ended. We were all tired, and it was time for bed. Jorunn told us she was going upstairs to take a shower. Leah and I followed her up to our two bedrooms.A Single CandleDecember 24th - Late EveningFive minutes later, there was a knock on my bedroom door. Opening it, Leah stood there, holding a single candle, and wearing a lavender-colored silk nightgown and robe set. The half-sleeve wrap robe only partially covered her nightgown, leaving the lace-trimmed bustline and hem of her nightgown exposed. She put a finger to her mouth and whispered, “Shhh!” Then she led me by hand to her bedroom. The only light inside came from her single candle.My eyes quickly adjusted, or perhaps it was just my intent stare, “You look incredible.”Leah
Poetry and baring the soul.Based on a post by Jorunn, in 4 parts. Listen to the ►Podcast at Connected.Arriving at her house, Leah and I carried my clothes up to the spare bedroom. I thanked Leah once again, then kissed her.Leah softly whispered, “Jorunn is downstairs!”I replied in the same whisper, “Then kiss me quietly.” And she did.I spent the remainder of the day doing my laundry, once Leah showed me how to use her Norwegian washing machine. Leah opened the clothes drying rack, and when done, I laid my clothes out to dry.For dinner, Leah prepared salmon fillets with boiled potatoes. As Jorunn and Leah washed the dishes, I sat on the center seat of the sofa, reflecting on the day. When they finished, both Jorunn and Leah rushed into the living room, extremely excited, and sat down on either side of me. Jorunn turned on the television and switched to Norwegian National Television. I wondered what the fuss was about.“Five more minutes,” yelped Jorunn.After a brief introduction, an old black-and-white movie started. Both Jorunn and Leah snuggled up tight against me and I put my arms around them. It felt great. The show, called “Dinner for One”, featured a 90-year-old countess celebrating her birthday. She invited four friends but outlived them all. Her butler decides to impersonate each of the four missing guests. As he slips into each of the roles, he drinks a toast, and quickly becomes intoxicated, leading to numerous sight gags. It felt good to laugh along with people again. It was rather short, and when it ended, Leah told me it was the most repeated television show of all time and is quite popular in Scandinavian countries and northern Europe.Leah and Jorunn went around rearranging and straightening Christmas decorations, then announced it was time to make Julekurver. I heard of them, but never actually made one. Made of paper, they are heart-shaped and filled with sweets.We quickly cleared the dining room table, then covered it with red and white paper, a plastic rule, a plastic circle, and scissor. Leah and Jorunn both moved quickly, folding a sheet of paper of each color, and I followed their action. Then it was time to measure and cut, and fortunately, they slowed down to allow me to keep up. Using a circle, we marked a half circle and cut the excess away. Then cut strips into the paper, not going all the way across. We wove the red and white papers together in a checkerboard pattern and unfolded them into a perfect heart shape. I thought the process rather inefficient and decided to show off my engineering skills from 3M by making a fancier one. As I unfolded it, Jorunn and Leah laughed, and a moment later, I discovered one way not to make a Julekurver.After a long and active day, I was tired, so I went to bed. Both Jorunn and Leah were talking softly in the living room as I drifted off to sleep.A nocturnal visitorDecember 23rd - Just Before MidnightI was startled awake when I heard my bedroom door close, followed by a soft, “Shush!”I listened closely in the total darkness for footsteps and heard someone approach my bed. Leah must be ready to resume what we started back at the hotel! A hand pulled back the covers, and instinctively I slid toward the middle of the bed to make space. Leah slid in next to me and drew the covers back over us.Leah moved and shifted, and a hand found the back of my head. I expected her lips to follow, and they did. Soft and gentle, a wonderful way for my nocturnal visitor to say hello. Leah told me at the hotel she did not want to feel rushed, so there was no urgency. Her lips retreated, and her hand slid down to caress my cheek, as delicate fingers gently stroked me.I reached out and found her left shoulder as Leah faced me, then marveled at the smoothness as my hand traced her arm downward. Approaching her hand, I extended further to touch her hip. I began softly rubbing, but her ass beckoned, and my hand moved to cup and squeeze her firm cheek. My fingers began shooting sensations of warmth, softness, and inner firmness directly to my brain. I pulled Leah tight against me and discovered she was already completely naked.Leah swung her left leg over me and moved to an upright position, straddling my crotch. Beneath my boxer shorts, my erect cock fought for release. Her hand found my cock within its shelter but did not liberate it. Instead, her hand pushed my cock flat against my lower stomach, and she slid forward, trapping it with the swollen outer lips of her pussy. Leah began slowly gyrating, and even through the fabric of my boxers, I felt her pussy lips spreading as they slid along either side of my hidden cock.The hushed sounds of Leah cooing and moaning barely reached my ears, as dampness built between us. I reached up with both hands, found her small breasts, and used my thumbs to tease her nipples to an erection. A heavy breath followed by a long ‘uh. Oh; Ah!’ brought me close to premature orgasm, but this was not what Leah wanted, so I held back.Leah must have sensed I was close. She stopped gyrating, lifted herself, and then began inching herself up my torso. She paused for a moment and sat on my chest, then her hands reached out to touch my face. Two fingertips began touring my facial features as if Leah wanted to memorize every feature of my face. In the darkness, my senses heightened, her fingers swirled, and circled, and glided over me. I never would have imagined how erotic it felt.Leah resumed moving higher, her knees passing over my shoulders until they rested on either side of my head. I reached up to confirm what lay just inches above my face and grazed the same hairy splendor I sampled back at the hotel. Inhaling deeply, I picked up traces of the same body wash on her thighs. I was ready to dive back in, so I reached up and grabbed Leah’s hips, then pulled her pussy down toward my awaiting tongue. I paused as her short curly hair began painting her scent onto my face. The scent of arousal overpowered my senses. But? Something strange? I froze. The contradiction awoke my twilight dream state.“Why did you stop, Gunnar?” From the darkness came Jorunn’s voice! The dream of Leah's nocturnal visit was replaced by the reality of a beautiful young woman revealing her devotion and desire to this 56 year old guy.I was stunned. I couldn’t reveal the real reason I stopped; was uncertainty. Jorunn’s pussy smelled different than Leah’s! I hadn’t noticed any difference between Leah’s and Jorunn’s tall, fit bodies. If there were any, they were undetectable in the darkness, especially with only my brief exposure to Leah. “I can’t do this with you, Jorunn.” I softly and sincerely spoke.“I want to make love to you tonight, Gunnar. More than anything in the world. Am I not pretty enough? Has not enough time passed since your wife’s funeral? You are the only man in the world I can love to, without fear of being hurt.”“Jorunn, you are an incredibly beautiful woman. For months, I fantasized about holding you in my arms, kissing you, and wishing to be exactly where I am now. But yesterday, I met your mother.”Jorunn asked, “Did she order you not to have sex with me?”I replied, “It’s not that. I think I’m falling in love with Leah. We spent a wonderful day together, and she swept me off my feet. If that love turns out to be mutual, I am prepared to pledge my heart totally to her and her alone. A lifetime commitment, one I will never dishonor. The only reason you and I got this far tonight is that in the darkness and my dream state, I thought you were Leah. I never would have done it otherwise.” But you are a lovely and desirable woman. I respect you and Leah. So much that I cannot be false to either of you. And I cannot dishonor myself, by doing what I know is dishonorable.”Jorunn shifted positions and lay next to me in the bed. In the darkness, Jorunn whispered, “You are so unlike my father. He always put himself first. I was ready to give myself to you tonight. You could have kept quiet and let it happen. Then lied about it to my mother in the morning. But you didn’t. You are a better man than my father ever was, and I know you will make my mother happy. Please don’t be afraid to give her, and yourself, a chance. She really needs someone like you in her life.”I heard a soft sob and reached out to touch Jorunn’s face. She was crying. Jorunn came into my bedroom tonight, looking for someone to love. She didn’t know about Leah and me, or what happened between us at the hotel. I very much doubt her mother would have told her. I admired what Jorunn just did. She was sacrificing her chance at love so that her mother might have one. Jorunn knew that she bore the duty to initiate affection, after so harshly rejecting my romantic advances, last week.Silence followed, before Jorunn finally said, “What you have shown me, Gunnar, is that there are still good men in this world. But I am still afraid to look for them.”I thought back to the day Jorunn and I went sledging. “Remember what you told me at Korketrekkeren? You don’t need to be afraid of looking for a man, Jorunn. What you need to be afraid of is being too afraid to try looking for a man. Promise me that you will push off, just like riding a sledge, and start looking. When you reach the bottom of that scary hill, you will no longer be afraid, and someone you love will be waiting there for you.”“I will, Gunnar. I promise. And thank you.” Jorunn climbed out of my bed and closed the door as she left.Christmas EveDecember 24 - MorningI woke up in the guest room bed. Hearing noises and holiday folk music in the kitchen, I dressed and went downstairs. Leah smiled and said, “God Jul!”, Norwegian's way of saying merry Christmas. Then she made me scrambled eggs with smoked salmon. Afterward, I enjoyed a slice of fruited Christmas Cake with coffee.“Leah, there is something I need to tell you. Jorunn came into my room last night looking for a man to love. In the darkness and my dream state, I thought it was you. It took a moment for me to realize it was Jorunn, and I stopped myself before going too far. Jorunn and I talked, and I confessed my love for you, to her. She understood, and asked that I give that love a chance. I want to do that. I asked Jorunn to no longer be afraid to look for love, and she agreed.”“Thank you for telling me, Gunnar. I have struggled to get Jorunn to go on dates after her father hurt her so badly. You must be a special man to find a place in her heart.”Leah sat down at the table with me, and continued; “I trust Jorunn, and now I trust you. So you will know, I will come to you tonight, bearing a lighted candle.”I said, “That sounds romantic.” My cock jolted to attention, under my trousers. I smiled and winked.Leah replied, “Wait until you see what I will be wearing.” She stood and returned to her baking, as the soft holiday music filled the busy kitchen. Leah's hips softly gyrated to the soft beat as she hummed with the lyrics.Jorunn came down later for breakfast, and after eating, she announced she would be working on edits and voiceovers for her recent videos. Since they were related to Christmas, she wanted to finish them to post them later tonight.Just before lunch, Leah led me back to the television and as we snuggled on the couch, she turned on “Tre Notter til Askepott”, a 1973 Czech reenactment of Cinderella, dubbed into Norwegian. The story was familiar, with Cinderella granted three wishes. It was enjoyable, but the dubbed dialog did not quite match the lips of the actors, so I needed to concentrate on what they were saying. Leah mentioned that this show is so popular in Norway, that storms of protest arose one year when they decided not to broadcast it. They ended up sending it out later in the holiday.Jorunn joined Leah and me for lunch. We ate Risengrynsgrot, which is rice porridge cooked with milk, sugar, and vanilla. We each had a bowl, and hiding in one of the three bowls was an almond. I suspected possible cheating such that I would be the one getting the almond, but as it turned out, Jorunn got the lucky bowl. As her prize, Leah gave Jorunn a chocolate-covered marzipan pig, an oddity for certain, but part of the tradition. There was porridge left over, and Leah said she would use it to make Riskrem, the delicious rice dessert eaten after tonight’s dinner. Solveig’s Riskrem was one of my favorite parts of the holiday season, and I was looking forward to tasting Leah’s.Leah turned to me and said, “If you want to eat, you must help in the kitchen.”Cooking was not something I knew very well, and after Leah led me into the kitchen, I let her know that. But since we were alone, I moved behind her, pulled her blonde hair aside, and nuzzled her neck.Leah said, “If you don’t stop, Gunnar, it will take longer before we eat.” But she wiggled her hips into my crotch before spinning out of my embrace.I helped Leah remove a large roasting pan from the refrigerator and put it in the oven. “That’s a strange-looking piece of meat,” I said.Leah replied, “It is called Ribbe, or roasted pork belly. It is one of the most popular Christmas meals in Norway. I scored the fat layer on top two days ago into a checkerboard pattern. Once cooked, the bottom meat stays tender while the cracklings on top get crispy.”Leah handed me a vegetable peeler and pointed to a bag of potatoes. I needed no further instructions on this. While I worked, Leah flittered around the kitchen, preparing the side dishes. She looked genuinely happy, and we talked and laughed and told tales of Christmases long ago.Just as we pulled the Ribbe from the oven, church bells began ringing from multiple sources. It was 17:00.“It seems like an odd time for church bells,” I said.Leah replied, “In Scandinavia, a new day traditionally starts at sundown, not midnight. Following the old ways, Christmas Day has arrived. It is time to eat.”Jorunn joined us in the mad flurry of activity as places were set, and food moved from the kitchen to the dining room. On the table was Ribbe, boiled potatoes, meatballs, gravy, sausages, sauerkraut, prunes, and lingonberries. Leah poured each of us a tall glass of juleøl, a dark spiced ale, brewed during Christmas all over Norway. She said at one time, a Norwegian king made it illegal to Not brew Christmas Ale. Everything was delicious, and I ate until I could stuff in no more.After dinner, we cleaned up and went into the living room to enjoy coffee, cookies, and a small bowl of Riskrem. I wondered why Leah brought out four bowls of Riskrem. Three topped with whipped cream and a berry sauce, one with only a blob of butter in the middle.Leah said, “We set out a bowl of porridge every Christmas for the fjøsnissen. The tradition evolved from the days when farming families would offer porridge to their barn elf, or nisse. The nisse takes care of the animals in the barn during winter so they don’t get sick. If you don’t do this, the fjøsnissen will play tricks on you.”As we nibbled, Jorunn set the bowl of porridge outside the front door for the fjøsnissen. Then we sat and watched an American Christmas movie on television. After it ended, Leah announced it was time to open the presents. I suspected this would happen and was glad I bought a gift for both Leah and Jorunn. We each dispersed, returned with our packages, and placed them under the Christmas tree.As expected, Leah and Jorunn shared the most gifts for each other, opening the usual mix of chocolates, clothing, and kitchen items. Then Jorunn handed me a gift from her. I opened it and found a DVD labeled, 'Christmas in Norway Tour’, along with a link and instructions to download the video if I preferred. Jorunn told me she made an hour-long video of all the things we did together over the past week, adding music and voiceovers so I would remember the now-completed tour. In exceedingly small letters, at the bottom of the instructions, I saw a link for a story with a similar name and suspected it might be one full of adjectives.Jorunn then opened my gift to her. I remembered the small camera she used this past week and bought her a new top-of-the-line digital camera. From her reaction, I did well.Leah then opened my gift to her. I purchased a genuinely nice Advent star to hang in her window, since she did not have one. It was large and electrically lit and after opening it, she wanted to hang it up right away, which we did. Then we went outside to see how it looked. Leah kissed me and whispered that the Advent Star possessed a special meaning for her this year, a sign of brighter days ahead.Seeing us standing outside, a Julenissen crossed the street and came up to us. The man, dressed in a red jacket with a matching pointed red hat, carried a cloth sack. He was older, and his white beard looked genuine.Jorunn yelled, “God Jul, Julenissen!”As the Julenissen joined us, Leah said, “Nice to see you again, Mr. Bjornstad.”The Julenissen opened a small cloth sack, pulled out a straw goat wrapped with red ribbons, and handed it to Jorunn. Leah explained that the Julenissen come around to houses on Christmas Eve to hand out presents and chocolate to the children. Often, more than one Julenissen would knock on your door during the evening. Unlike America, children get to meet the Julenissen in Norway.“It wouldn’t be the same this year without one of your julebukk!” said an excited Jorunn. Mr. Bjornstad had been coming to Jorunn’s house for a long time, and told us he likes to keep alive the old Norse traditions, such as the julebukk. In addition to handing out hand-made gifts, he tells folklore stories and tales from the days of the Vikings. What a wonderful thing to do to preserve the ancient Norse legacy of sagas and storytelling.Leah excused herself as Mr. Bjornstad started telling such a tale to Jorunn and me. He described Valhalla, where Odin and the brave warriors would train by day, and feast on roast boar and ale at night. Leah returned a moment later with four glasses of Aquavit. We toasted the season and sipped our Aquavit with the Julenissen after the story ended. We then sang a Christmas song together.Then we went back inside and watched the DVD that Jorunn made. The tour sounded exciting and full of fun, which indeed, it was. It also gave Leah another chance to see me in action. It was a full evening, and close to 23:00 when the DVD ended. We were all tired, and it was time for bed. Jorunn told us she was going upstairs to take a shower. Leah and I followed her up to our two bedrooms.A Single CandleDecember 24th - Late EveningFive minutes later, there was a knock on my bedroom door. Opening it, Leah stood there, holding a single candle, and wearing a lavender-colored silk nightgown and robe set. The half-sleeve wrap robe only partially covered her nightgown, leaving the lace-trimmed bustline and hem of her nightgown exposed. She put a finger to her mouth and whispered, “Shhh!” Then she led me by hand to her bedroom. The only light inside came from her single candle.My eyes quickly adjusted, or perhaps it was just my intent stare, “You look incredible.”Leah
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Poetry and baring the soul.Based on a post by Jorunn, in 4 parts. Listen to the ►Podcast at Connected.Arriving at her house, Leah and I carried my clothes up to the spare bedroom. I thanked Leah once again, then kissed her.Leah softly whispered, “Jorunn is downstairs!”I replied in the same whisper, “Then kiss me quietly.” And she did.I spent the remainder of the day doing my laundry, once Leah showed me how to use her Norwegian washing machine. Leah opened the clothes drying rack, and when done, I laid my clothes out to dry.For dinner, Leah prepared salmon fillets with boiled potatoes. As Jorunn and Leah washed the dishes, I sat on the center seat of the sofa, reflecting on the day. When they finished, both Jorunn and Leah rushed into the living room, extremely excited, and sat down on either side of me. Jorunn turned on the television and switched to Norwegian National Television. I wondered what the fuss was about.“Five more minutes,” yelped Jorunn.After a brief introduction, an old black-and-white movie started. Both Jorunn and Leah snuggled up tight against me and I put my arms around them. It felt great. The show, called “Dinner for One”, featured a 90-year-old countess celebrating her birthday. She invited four friends but outlived them all. Her butler decides to impersonate each of the four missing guests. As he slips into each of the roles, he drinks a toast, and quickly becomes intoxicated, leading to numerous sight gags. It felt good to laugh along with people again. It was rather short, and when it ended, Leah told me it was the most repeated television show of all time and is quite popular in Scandinavian countries and northern Europe.Leah and Jorunn went around rearranging and straightening Christmas decorations, then announced it was time to make Julekurver. I heard of them, but never actually made one. Made of paper, they are heart-shaped and filled with sweets.We quickly cleared the dining room table, then covered it with red and white paper, a plastic rule, a plastic circle, and scissor. Leah and Jorunn both moved quickly, folding a sheet of paper of each color, and I followed their action. Then it was time to measure and cut, and fortunately, they slowed down to allow me to keep up. Using a circle, we marked a half circle and cut the excess away. Then cut strips into the paper, not going all the way across. We wove the red and white papers together in a checkerboard pattern and unfolded them into a perfect heart shape. I thought the process rather inefficient and decided to show off my engineering skills from 3M by making a fancier one. As I unfolded it, Jorunn and Leah laughed, and a moment later, I discovered one way not to make a Julekurver.After a long and active day, I was tired, so I went to bed. Both Jorunn and Leah were talking softly in the living room as I drifted off to sleep.A nocturnal visitorDecember 23rd - Just Before MidnightI was startled awake when I heard my bedroom door close, followed by a soft, “Shush!”I listened closely in the total darkness for footsteps and heard someone approach my bed. Leah must be ready to resume what we started back at the hotel! A hand pulled back the covers, and instinctively I slid toward the middle of the bed to make space. Leah slid in next to me and drew the covers back over us.Leah moved and shifted, and a hand found the back of my head. I expected her lips to follow, and they did. Soft and gentle, a wonderful way for my nocturnal visitor to say hello. Leah told me at the hotel she did not want to feel rushed, so there was no urgency. Her lips retreated, and her hand slid down to caress my cheek, as delicate fingers gently stroked me.I reached out and found her left shoulder as Leah faced me, then marveled at the smoothness as my hand traced her arm downward. Approaching her hand, I extended further to touch her hip. I began softly rubbing, but her ass beckoned, and my hand moved to cup and squeeze her firm cheek. My fingers began shooting sensations of warmth, softness, and inner firmness directly to my brain. I pulled Leah tight against me and discovered she was already completely naked.Leah swung her left leg over me and moved to an upright position, straddling my crotch. Beneath my boxer shorts, my erect cock fought for release. Her hand found my cock within its shelter but did not liberate it. Instead, her hand pushed my cock flat against my lower stomach, and she slid forward, trapping it with the swollen outer lips of her pussy. Leah began slowly gyrating, and even through the fabric of my boxers, I felt her pussy lips spreading as they slid along either side of my hidden cock.The hushed sounds of Leah cooing and moaning barely reached my ears, as dampness built between us. I reached up with both hands, found her small breasts, and used my thumbs to tease her nipples to an erection. A heavy breath followed by a long ‘uh. Oh; Ah!’ brought me close to premature orgasm, but this was not what Leah wanted, so I held back.Leah must have sensed I was close. She stopped gyrating, lifted herself, and then began inching herself up my torso. She paused for a moment and sat on my chest, then her hands reached out to touch my face. Two fingertips began touring my facial features as if Leah wanted to memorize every feature of my face. In the darkness, my senses heightened, her fingers swirled, and circled, and glided over me. I never would have imagined how erotic it felt.Leah resumed moving higher, her knees passing over my shoulders until they rested on either side of my head. I reached up to confirm what lay just inches above my face and grazed the same hairy splendor I sampled back at the hotel. Inhaling deeply, I picked up traces of the same body wash on her thighs. I was ready to dive back in, so I reached up and grabbed Leah’s hips, then pulled her pussy down toward my awaiting tongue. I paused as her short curly hair began painting her scent onto my face. The scent of arousal overpowered my senses. But? Something strange? I froze. The contradiction awoke my twilight dream state.“Why did you stop, Gunnar?” From the darkness came Jorunn’s voice! The dream of Leah's nocturnal visit was replaced by the reality of a beautiful young woman revealing her devotion and desire to this 56 year old guy.I was stunned. I couldn’t reveal the real reason I stopped; was uncertainty. Jorunn’s pussy smelled different than Leah’s! I hadn’t noticed any difference between Leah’s and Jorunn’s tall, fit bodies. If there were any, they were undetectable in the darkness, especially with only my brief exposure to Leah. “I can’t do this with you, Jorunn.” I softly and sincerely spoke.“I want to make love to you tonight, Gunnar. More than anything in the world. Am I not pretty enough? Has not enough time passed since your wife’s funeral? You are the only man in the world I can love to, without fear of being hurt.”“Jorunn, you are an incredibly beautiful woman. For months, I fantasized about holding you in my arms, kissing you, and wishing to be exactly where I am now. But yesterday, I met your mother.”Jorunn asked, “Did she order you not to have sex with me?”I replied, “It’s not that. I think I’m falling in love with Leah. We spent a wonderful day together, and she swept me off my feet. If that love turns out to be mutual, I am prepared to pledge my heart totally to her and her alone. A lifetime commitment, one I will never dishonor. The only reason you and I got this far tonight is that in the darkness and my dream state, I thought you were Leah. I never would have done it otherwise.” But you are a lovely and desirable woman. I respect you and Leah. So much that I cannot be false to either of you. And I cannot dishonor myself, by doing what I know is dishonorable.”Jorunn shifted positions and lay next to me in the bed. In the darkness, Jorunn whispered, “You are so unlike my father. He always put himself first. I was ready to give myself to you tonight. You could have kept quiet and let it happen. Then lied about it to my mother in the morning. But you didn’t. You are a better man than my father ever was, and I know you will make my mother happy. Please don’t be afraid to give her, and yourself, a chance. She really needs someone like you in her life.”I heard a soft sob and reached out to touch Jorunn’s face. She was crying. Jorunn came into my bedroom tonight, looking for someone to love. She didn’t know about Leah and me, or what happened between us at the hotel. I very much doubt her mother would have told her. I admired what Jorunn just did. She was sacrificing her chance at love so that her mother might have one. Jorunn knew that she bore the duty to initiate affection, after so harshly rejecting my romantic advances, last week.Silence followed, before Jorunn finally said, “What you have shown me, Gunnar, is that there are still good men in this world. But I am still afraid to look for them.”I thought back to the day Jorunn and I went sledging. “Remember what you told me at Korketrekkeren? You don’t need to be afraid of looking for a man, Jorunn. What you need to be afraid of is being too afraid to try looking for a man. Promise me that you will push off, just like riding a sledge, and start looking. When you reach the bottom of that scary hill, you will no longer be afraid, and someone you love will be waiting there for you.”“I will, Gunnar. I promise. And thank you.” Jorunn climbed out of my bed and closed the door as she left.Christmas EveDecember 24 - MorningI woke up in the guest room bed. Hearing noises and holiday folk music in the kitchen, I dressed and went downstairs. Leah smiled and said, “God Jul!”, Norwegian's way of saying merry Christmas. Then she made me scrambled eggs with smoked salmon. Afterward, I enjoyed a slice of fruited Christmas Cake with coffee.“Leah, there is something I need to tell you. Jorunn came into my room last night looking for a man to love. In the darkness and my dream state, I thought it was you. It took a moment for me to realize it was Jorunn, and I stopped myself before going too far. Jorunn and I talked, and I confessed my love for you, to her. She understood, and asked that I give that love a chance. I want to do that. I asked Jorunn to no longer be afraid to look for love, and she agreed.”“Thank you for telling me, Gunnar. I have struggled to get Jorunn to go on dates after her father hurt her so badly. You must be a special man to find a place in her heart.”Leah sat down at the table with me, and continued; “I trust Jorunn, and now I trust you. So you will know, I will come to you tonight, bearing a lighted candle.”I said, “That sounds romantic.” My cock jolted to attention, under my trousers. I smiled and winked.Leah replied, “Wait until you see what I will be wearing.” She stood and returned to her baking, as the soft holiday music filled the busy kitchen. Leah's hips softly gyrated to the soft beat as she hummed with the lyrics.Jorunn came down later for breakfast, and after eating, she announced she would be working on edits and voiceovers for her recent videos. Since they were related to Christmas, she wanted to finish them to post them later tonight.Just before lunch, Leah led me back to the television and as we snuggled on the couch, she turned on “Tre Notter til Askepott”, a 1973 Czech reenactment of Cinderella, dubbed into Norwegian. The story was familiar, with Cinderella granted three wishes. It was enjoyable, but the dubbed dialog did not quite match the lips of the actors, so I needed to concentrate on what they were saying. Leah mentioned that this show is so popular in Norway, that storms of protest arose one year when they decided not to broadcast it. They ended up sending it out later in the holiday.Jorunn joined Leah and me for lunch. We ate Risengrynsgrot, which is rice porridge cooked with milk, sugar, and vanilla. We each had a bowl, and hiding in one of the three bowls was an almond. I suspected possible cheating such that I would be the one getting the almond, but as it turned out, Jorunn got the lucky bowl. As her prize, Leah gave Jorunn a chocolate-covered marzipan pig, an oddity for certain, but part of the tradition. There was porridge left over, and Leah said she would use it to make Riskrem, the delicious rice dessert eaten after tonight’s dinner. Solveig’s Riskrem was one of my favorite parts of the holiday season, and I was looking forward to tasting Leah’s.Leah turned to me and said, “If you want to eat, you must help in the kitchen.”Cooking was not something I knew very well, and after Leah led me into the kitchen, I let her know that. But since we were alone, I moved behind her, pulled her blonde hair aside, and nuzzled her neck.Leah said, “If you don’t stop, Gunnar, it will take longer before we eat.” But she wiggled her hips into my crotch before spinning out of my embrace.I helped Leah remove a large roasting pan from the refrigerator and put it in the oven. “That’s a strange-looking piece of meat,” I said.Leah replied, “It is called Ribbe, or roasted pork belly. It is one of the most popular Christmas meals in Norway. I scored the fat layer on top two days ago into a checkerboard pattern. Once cooked, the bottom meat stays tender while the cracklings on top get crispy.”Leah handed me a vegetable peeler and pointed to a bag of potatoes. I needed no further instructions on this. While I worked, Leah flittered around the kitchen, preparing the side dishes. She looked genuinely happy, and we talked and laughed and told tales of Christmases long ago.Just as we pulled the Ribbe from the oven, church bells began ringing from multiple sources. It was 17:00.“It seems like an odd time for church bells,” I said.Leah replied, “In Scandinavia, a new day traditionally starts at sundown, not midnight. Following the old ways, Christmas Day has arrived. It is time to eat.”Jorunn joined us in the mad flurry of activity as places were set, and food moved from the kitchen to the dining room. On the table was Ribbe, boiled potatoes, meatballs, gravy, sausages, sauerkraut, prunes, and lingonberries. Leah poured each of us a tall glass of juleøl, a dark spiced ale, brewed during Christmas all over Norway. She said at one time, a Norwegian king made it illegal to Not brew Christmas Ale. Everything was delicious, and I ate until I could stuff in no more.After dinner, we cleaned up and went into the living room to enjoy coffee, cookies, and a small bowl of Riskrem. I wondered why Leah brought out four bowls of Riskrem. Three topped with whipped cream and a berry sauce, one with only a blob of butter in the middle.Leah said, “We set out a bowl of porridge every Christmas for the fjøsnissen. The tradition evolved from the days when farming families would offer porridge to their barn elf, or nisse. The nisse takes care of the animals in the barn during winter so they don’t get sick. If you don’t do this, the fjøsnissen will play tricks on you.”As we nibbled, Jorunn set the bowl of porridge outside the front door for the fjøsnissen. Then we sat and watched an American Christmas movie on television. After it ended, Leah announced it was time to open the presents. I suspected this would happen and was glad I bought a gift for both Leah and Jorunn. We each dispersed, returned with our packages, and placed them under the Christmas tree.As expected, Leah and Jorunn shared the most gifts for each other, opening the usual mix of chocolates, clothing, and kitchen items. Then Jorunn handed me a gift from her. I opened it and found a DVD labeled, 'Christmas in Norway Tour’, along with a link and instructions to download the video if I preferred. Jorunn told me she made an hour-long video of all the things we did together over the past week, adding music and voiceovers so I would remember the now-completed tour. In exceedingly small letters, at the bottom of the instructions, I saw a link for a story with a similar name and suspected it might be one full of adjectives.Jorunn then opened my gift to her. I remembered the small camera she used this past week and bought her a new top-of-the-line digital camera. From her reaction, I did well.Leah then opened my gift to her. I purchased a genuinely nice Advent star to hang in her window, since she did not have one. It was large and electrically lit and after opening it, she wanted to hang it up right away, which we did. Then we went outside to see how it looked. Leah kissed me and whispered that the Advent Star possessed a special meaning for her this year, a sign of brighter days ahead.Seeing us standing outside, a Julenissen crossed the street and came up to us. The man, dressed in a red jacket with a matching pointed red hat, carried a cloth sack. He was older, and his white beard looked genuine.Jorunn yelled, “God Jul, Julenissen!”As the Julenissen joined us, Leah said, “Nice to see you again, Mr. Bjornstad.”The Julenissen opened a small cloth sack, pulled out a straw goat wrapped with red ribbons, and handed it to Jorunn. Leah explained that the Julenissen come around to houses on Christmas Eve to hand out presents and chocolate to the children. Often, more than one Julenissen would knock on your door during the evening. Unlike America, children get to meet the Julenissen in Norway.“It wouldn’t be the same this year without one of your julebukk!” said an excited Jorunn. Mr. Bjornstad had been coming to Jorunn’s house for a long time, and told us he likes to keep alive the old Norse traditions, such as the julebukk. In addition to handing out hand-made gifts, he tells folklore stories and tales from the days of the Vikings. What a wonderful thing to do to preserve the ancient Norse legacy of sagas and storytelling.Leah excused herself as Mr. Bjornstad started telling such a tale to Jorunn and me. He described Valhalla, where Odin and the brave warriors would train by day, and feast on roast boar and ale at night. Leah returned a moment later with four glasses of Aquavit. We toasted the season and sipped our Aquavit with the Julenissen after the story ended. We then sang a Christmas song together.Then we went back inside and watched the DVD that Jorunn made. The tour sounded exciting and full of fun, which indeed, it was. It also gave Leah another chance to see me in action. It was a full evening, and close to 23:00 when the DVD ended. We were all tired, and it was time for bed. Jorunn told us she was going upstairs to take a shower. Leah and I followed her up to our two bedrooms.A Single CandleDecember 24th - Late EveningFive minutes later, there was a knock on my bedroom door. Opening it, Leah stood there, holding a single candle, and wearing a lavender-colored silk nightgown and robe set. The half-sleeve wrap robe only partially covered her nightgown, leaving the lace-trimmed bustline and hem of her nightgown exposed. She put a finger to her mouth and whispered, “Shhh!” Then she led me by hand to her bedroom. The only light inside came from her single candle.My eyes quickly adjusted, or perhaps it was just my intent stare, “You look incredible.”Leah
Finding themselves in a watery realm the party tries to resist the urge...to feast. Gain access to an exclusive campaign, Shroud Over Saltmarsh, over on Patreon: https://legendsofavantris.com/patreon The Crooked Moon, a folk horror supplement for 5e, is available for preorder! Get the Crooked Moon at: https://thecrookedmoon.com/ Watch more D&D adventures in the world of Avantris live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/legendsofavantris Check out our merch store: https://shop.legendsofavantris.com Join our community on Discord: https://legendsofavantris.com/discord Watch our many campaigns on YouTube: https://legendsofavantris.com/youtube All other links: https://linktr.ee/legendsofavantris Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/d0h1arHU4Eo?si=y5JUg1Dxcq2RzwWu
✨ Support the show with Premium (Ad-Free) -- Float into peaceful clarity with Cloud Meditation, a serene soundscape blending 10 Hz alpha wave binaural beats, relaxing ambient cloud music, and soft gentle wind sounds. The light, airy music creates a feeling of drifting above the world, while the subtle wind ambience adds movement and spacious calm. Beneath it all, 10 Hz alpha waves support relaxed awareness, mental clarity, creativity, and stress relief. Ideal for meditation, focused work, or unwinding without falling asleep. --
In this episode of Spring Festival Social Observations, we peel back the layers of China's most significant holiday to examine the unspoken scripts, performed roles, and quiet emotional labor that make the reunion work. Beneath the surface of festive meals and cheerful greetings lies a complex social theater where everyone plays a part—often feeling both connected and strangely alone.
A familiar portfolio map is being redrawn. Ian Harnett traces the regime shift from disinflation and reliable bond hedges to a world where inflation pressures linger, supply chains shorten, and capital becomes a policy tool. The conversation moves from China's exported deflation to Europe's structural constraints, then into America's strategy of attracting investment with tariff leverage. Beneath it all sits a political question: what happens if the governing coalition fractures ahead of the midterms. Harnett argues that is the moment the dollar turns from anchor to risk.-----50 YEARS OF TREND FOLLOWING BOOK AND BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS - CLICK HERE-----Follow Niels on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube or via the TTU website.IT's TRUE ? – most CIO's read 50+ books each year – get your FREE copy of the Ultimate Guide to the Best Investment Books ever written here.And you can get a free copy of my latest book “Ten Reasons to Add Trend Following to Your Portfolio” here.Learn more about the Trend Barometer here.Send your questions to info@toptradersunplugged.comAnd please share this episode with a like-minded friend and leave an honest Rating & Review on iTunes or Spotify so more people can discover the podcast.Follow Alan on LinkedIn.Follow Ian on LinkedIn.Episode TimeStamps: 00:00 - The gray swan: political fracture and the point to sell the dollar00:37 - Show intro and risk disclaimer01:33 - Setting the frame: global macro, geopolitics, and regime change04:34 - The new regime: inflation risk and the stock-bond relationship breaking06:39 - Structural inflation drivers: deglobalization, trade weaponization, China's deflation export09:14 - Capital as a battleground: surcharges, controls, and Europe's capital markets problem12:02 - Europe's catalyst problem: why it may take a crisis to build a true safe asset14:44 - America's playbook: inbound capital, tariff bargaining, and “neo-royalism”18:32...
The Mage and The Healer - Part 11. Beneath the Grand Spire, our heroes don't have mush-room to take on an in-spore-igible fungal threat! It's all about rolling dice! “True Meta Inc.” is an actual-play table-top role-playing game podcast with a focus on story, character growth, and sweet, sweet combat. Come join us for your next adventure! Website: www.truemetainc.com/ Social Media: @truemetainc
Our heroes descend ever deeper into the infinite layers of the Abyss... Gain access to an exclusive campaign, Shroud Over Saltmarsh, over on Patreon: https://legendsofavantris.com/patreon The Crooked Moon, a folk horror supplement for 5e, is available for preorder! Get the Crooked Moon at: https://thecrookedmoon.com/ Watch more D&D adventures in the world of Avantris live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/legendsofavantris Check out our merch store: https://shop.legendsofavantris.com Join our community on Discord: https://legendsofavantris.com/discord Watch our many campaigns on YouTube: https://legendsofavantris.com/youtube All other links: https://linktr.ee/legendsofavantris Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/4rWoCt1IEmc?si=vez4hPMWON-EGRc-
Beneath the surface of headline economic data, the U.S. labor market is cooling in ways that traditional reports fail to capture. Jason Greer explores the disconnect between falling unemployment figures and the lived reality of workers facing persistent inflationary pressures and stagnant wage growth. While the official numbers suggest stability, the necessity of multiple jobs and the rising cost of living indicate a fragmented recovery.======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day.Options involve risks and are not suitable for all investors. Before trading, read the Options Disclosure Document. http://bit.ly/2v9tH6DSubscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about
Today in the interrogation chair, it's the two-time Emmy Award winning Joe Battaglia, author of BENEATH THE RINGS. Hear about how Joe got his job as an Olympic television producer for NBC, what his mom recently found in the attic, and how he got a job working for the Newark Star Ledger at the ripe old age of 18. It's Olympic fever time, so find out about Joe Battaglia and BENEATH THE RINGS. booksbybattaglia.com | thewritersdossier.com | Voice credit: Hillary Huber https://www.instagram.com/joebattaglia75/# https://www.facebook.com/joe.battaglia1/ https://x.com/joebattaglia75
For the latest Whisper in the Wings from Stage Whisper, we welcomed on the playwright/performer Roman Freud. He stopped by to talk about his upcoming show, Beneath the Ice of the Vistula. This fascinating new work was wonderful to chat and learn all about. So be sure you tune in and turn up for this fantastic production!Beneath the Ice of the VistulaFebruary 12th- 28th@ The West End TheatreTickets and more information are available at beneathiceofvistualaplay.com And be sure to follow Roman to stay up to date on all their upcoming projects and productions: beneathiceofvistualaplay.com roman.freud@gmail.com
Most B2B marketing fails for one simple reason: it forgets how persuasion actually works.That's why Mad Men still hits. Beneath the suits, pitches, and personal drama, it's a masterclass in what actually moves people. In this episode, we break down its B2B marketing takeaways with the help of our special guest Fahad Muhammad, Former VP of Marketing at TealBook.Together, we explore why fundamentals matter more than tactics, why emotion drives demand, and how originality is the only real advantage left in modern B2B marketing.About our guest, Fahad MuhammadFahad is a revenue-centric and data-driven marketing leader with 17 years of experience in strategic marketing at severalSaaS/Tech companies ranging from start-ups, SMBs to enterprise organizations. Specializing in demand creation and generation, he takes a data driven approach to identify unique growth opportunities in order to drive revenue and foster meaningful connections with customers. He is a diehard college football fan (Sun Devil for life!) and attends ASU's homecoming game each fall. An avid reader, he loves to read with a cup of his favorite coffee in hand.What B2B Companies Can Learn From Mad Men:Anchor on positioning before you touch tactics. Fahad's biggest takeaway from Mad Men is that modern B2B often skips the hard thinking and jumps straight to execution. The show strips marketing back to its core, and the lesson is uncomfortable in its simplicity. As he puts it, “This discipline is around three core things. It's about positioning, it's about having a very compelling piece of creative… and then the last piece is really understanding who your audience is.” The danger for B2B teams is mistaking activity for strategy. If positioning is fuzzy, no amount of optimization will save it. Get the foundation right first, or everything else is just noise.Emotion is the real differentiator. Fahad makes it clear that cutting through the noise is about resonance. He says, “Something that does speak to us, no matter what medium [it's in], is always going to cut through the noise.” Mad Men works because it understands human psychology hasn't changed, even if the channels have. For B2B marketers, the lesson is simple: logic might justify the purchase, but emotion earns attention. If your message doesn't connect at a human level, it won't survive the noise long enough to matter.Originality beats borrowed playbooks. Fahad warns that one of the fastest ways for B2B brands to disappear is by copying what already worked for someone else. Mad Men celebrates originality because it shows how differentiation is built through conviction, not consensus. As Fahad puts it, “They're not taking the shortcut route of copy pasting or referencing creative… they are elevating themselves and going through their own version of creative.” In a world where everyone has access to the same tools, the only sustainable advantage is saying something true in a way only you can. That's what people remember.Quote“ Everybody has the same access to the tools now. They can do the same thing. And the playing field is more level than ever. So how do you now cut through the noise? It still goes back to the core elements of: How strong is your positioning? How strong is your creative? Are you really thinking [that] this is going to cut through the noise and is it going to move people?”Time Stamps[00:55] Meet Fahad Muhammad, Former VP of Marketing at TealBook[01:37] Why Mad Men?[04:28] Role of VP of Marketing at TealBook[05:20] Behind-the-Scenes of Mad Men[09:21] B2B Marketing Takeaways from Mad Men[32:08] The Role of AI in Marketing[42:43] How to Connect Content to Your Marketing Strategy[45:44] Advice for First-Time VPs of Marketing[47:19] Final Thoughts and TakeawaysLinksConnect with Fahad on LinkedInLearn more about TealBookAbout Remarkable!Remarkable! is created by the team at Caspian Studios, the premier B2B Podcast-as-a-Service company. Caspian creates both nonfiction and fiction series for B2B companies. If you want a fiction series check out our new offering - The Business Thriller - Hollywood style storytelling for B2B. Learn more at CaspianStudios.com. In today's episode, you heard from Ian Faison (CEO of Caspian Studios) and Meredith Gooderham (Head of Production). Remarkable was produced this week by Jess Avellino, mixed by Scott Goodrich, and our theme song is “Solomon” by FALAK. Create something remarkable. Rise above the noise. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Welcome to Beneath the Transaction. This episode marks a new beginning—not just for the podcast, but for how we want to show up in these conversations moving forward. We start by naming something we've both been feeling for a while: how quickly life moves, and how easy it is to slip into a way of living and leading that's driven by efficiency, outcomes, and transactions rather than relationship and meaning. From personal moments of reflection to experiences that reshaped how we understand community and leadership, we share why this work feels urgent—and why transformation can't wait until “someday.” We talk about indigenous wisdom that has deeply influenced our thinking, including the idea that transformation is shared, breathed in together, and sustained through community. This is where the language of Tribe comes from—not as a buzzword, but as a reminder that none of us are meant to do this work alone. We also introduce the Seven Conditions of Transformation, which guide much of our work and will continue to shape future episodes: Purpose Commitment Common Language Vulnerability Consistency Deep, Trusting Relationships Safe Space These aren't steps to complete. They're conditions we return to again and again—at home, in leadership, and in community. Throughout the episode, we reflect on the small moments that often get overlooked, but quietly shape who we're becoming. The conversations we avoid. The relationships we rush past. The opportunities we have—right now—to choose intentionality instead of autopilot. This podcast will feature conversations with leaders from organizations, communities, families, and faith spaces—but it will always come back to the same question: What's being formed beneath the transaction? In this episode, we explore: Why this podcast needed a re-beginning How transactional living slowly disconnects us from what matters Why transformation is a journey, not a destination The role of community in sustaining change How the Seven Conditions show up in everyday life Why urgency doesn't mean panic—but presence What it means to build a Tribe rooted in belonging This episode ends with an invitation—not to have it all figured out, but to begin paying attention. To stop wasting minutes that matter. To practice living beneath the transaction together. If something in this conversation resonated with you, we hope you'll stay with us. Share it with someone in your Tribe. And join us as we continue this journey—one honest conversation at a time. Chapters: 00:00 A New Beginning 03:51 Life Is Moving Fast 09:18 Breaking the Transactional Cycle 12:48 Indigenous Wisdom & Shared Breath 16:11 The Seven Conditions of Transformation 21:01 Transformation as a Journey 25:03 The Power of Human Connection 41:37 An Invitation to the Tribe
What happens when a comfortable life starts to feel small? We sit down with Barry Maughan to trace an 8,000‑mile drive from Alexandria to Africa's southern tip in a 1969 VW combi bus, and the deeper journey from chasing success to finding meaning. A sudden coup in Libya shut a border and opened a path that led through dust tracks, steel‑belted tyres, and the unvarnished generosity of strangers who refused payment and offered help with a smile.We explore the difference between governments and people, and why most danger comes from regimes, not villagers. Barry shares the Cairo friendship that quietly reshaped everything. Serendipity kept showing up, including a stop at a radio station in Addis Ababa between 1969 and 1975, which led to a career in broadcasting, covering history in real-time and later hosting programs for the Voice of America's English to Africa service.Along the way, we talk practical grit and tender moments: navigating without GPS, patching tubes under acacia thorns, and an unforgettable exchange between two mothers, linked by the same protective love. With a one‑year‑old in the back, the road demanded preparation and humility, and returned lessons about global citizenship, family, and care that outlast any itinerary. Beneath the African Sun, Barry's new book, gathers the photos, the near‑misses, and the quiet truths about travel, courage, and the people who make a journey possible.If stories like this move you, follow the show, share this episode with a friend, and leave a review. Your support helps more listeners find conversations that change how we see the world.His memoir, Beneath the African Sun.Send BEHAS a text.Support the showTo Share - Connect & Relate: Share Your Thoughts and Shape the Show! Tell me what you love about the podcast and what you want to hear more about. Please email me at behas.podcast@gmail.com and be part of the conversation! To be on the show Podmatch Profile Ordinary people, extraordinary experiences - Real voices, real moments - Human connection through stories - Live true storytelling podcast - Confessions - First person emotional narratives - Unscripted Life Stories. Thank you for listening - Hasta Pronto!
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Most of us are grateful when road crews prepare for winter storms. Brine on the pavement can mean the difference between safety and danger. But what if something meant to […] The post Beneath the Surface appeared first on Broken Door Ministries.
Welcome to a new season of American Nightmares!A pristine neighborhood in Ogden, Utah hides something rotten. When a couple moves into Northwood subdivision in 1981, they're welcomed with free landscaping, shared supplies, and a sense of family - until the community's leader, Arvin Shreeve, reveals a secret doctrine of polygamy and sexual manipulation.Nearly a decade later, on July 9, 1991, a woman walks into the Weber County Attorney's Office and confesses to detective Mike King that she was part of the Zion Society, a cult she says was abusing children.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.