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This week on the Modern Retail Podcast, co-hosts Gabriela Barkho and Melissa Daniels unpack the news that Amazon is laying off about 14,000 people from its corporate workforce. They discuss what this says about how corporate America is responding to economic circumstances as well as the role of AI in reshaping workflows. Next, they talk through Lululemon's NFL collaboration and what it reveals about the athleisure giant's attempts to win over new audiences. From there (15:40), Barkho and Daniels sit down with Lawrence Berger, the co-founder of private equity firm Ames Watson that recently acquired Claire's following its Chapter 11 filing. Berger explains how the company's experiences reviving Lids, another legacy mall brand, are helping inform its Claire's playbook as it looks to update the stores and brand for a new era. Their discussion covers: The challenges Claire's faces with outdated merchandising and inefficient corporate practices The behind-the-scenes fixes, like merchandising and store refreshes, that Ames Watson is planning Why Ames Watson sees itself as an “atypical” private equity firm that aims for long-term brand revival rather than quick flips
It's Halloween, folks, so this week's episode of the Empire Podcast is extra-spooky, with Chris Hewitt, Helen O'Hara, James Dyer, and Beth Webb get way too invested in a listener question about the horror movie death that they would want for themselves. Just keep repeating: it's only a podcast, it's only a podcast, it's only a podcast. Elsewhere, our Core Four talk about the new Scream 7 trailer, the Hello Kitty movie and more in the news section, and they review A House Of Dynamite, Ballad Of A Small Player, Bugonia, and Relay. Guest-wise, we're loaded to the gills, as Chris chats with Ballad Of A Small Player director Edward Berger [24:30 - 38:01 approx] and The Hand That Rocks The Cradle stars, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Maika Monroe [1:38:05 - 1:52:44 approx], while Harry Stainer talks Bugonia with that film's director, Yorgos Lanthimos. [56:00 - 1:09:18 approx] Oh, and Chris sings that song. No, not that one. The other one. Just in time for All Hallow's Eve. Enjoy...
The bonuses keep on coming here on Soundtracking, as Edward Berger makes a welcome return to discuss his new film, Ballad Of A Small Player, which is streaming right now on Netflix. Starring Colin Farrell and Tilda Swinton, it tells the story of a high-stakes gambler lying low(ish) in Macau, who can't quite hide from his past.
Meet Annie Berger, a former Division I dual-sport athlete who pivoted from a successful career in legal marketing to become a Mental Performance Coach and founder of Match Mindset. After pausing her career to care for family and rediscovering her competitive drive through tennis, Annie experienced firsthand the power of mental skills in transforming performance and perspective. Now she helps athletes strengthen their mindset, embrace challenges, and play with more confidence, focus, and joy. Listen in to hear how Annie turned her personal journey of resilience and reinvention into a career helping others unlock their potential — both on and off the court! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Berger, Leander www.deutschlandfunk.de, Büchermarkt
"Ballad Of A Small Player" is a British psychological thriller directed by Edward Berger and written by Rowan Joffé, adapted from Lawrence Osborne's 2014 novel of the same name. The film stars Academy Award-nominee Colin Farrell as Lord Doyle, a high-stakes gambler laying low in Macau, where he spends his nights playing baccarat. As his debts spiral out of control, Doyle finds an unlikely lifeline in Dao Ming (Fala Chen), a casino hostess who holds secrets of her own. The film had its world premiere at the 52nd Telluride Film Festival before continuing its run at TIFF, where it received strong acclaim for its flashy direction, bombastic score, and Farrell's high-wire committed performance. Farrell, Chen, and Berger were all kind enough to spend time speaking with us about their work and experiences making the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now available to stream on Netflix. Thank you, and enjoy! Check out more on NextBestPicture.com Please subscribe on... Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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The sponsor today is BETTERHELP. 10% off at betterhelp.com/aitapodHappy mon mon hun huns. I'm joined for a second time by my dear actor friend, New Yorker, and overall gem and a half, Dana,. Hope you guys enjoy and thanks for listening!!! (0:00) - Banter(13:59) - AITA for wanting my partner to help pay for her engagement ring?(22:46) - AITA for asking my gf to pay me back after she broke my gaming headset?(38:10) - AITA for asking why my co-worker wears make-up every day?BEST way to Submit a sitch or comment: https://www.reddit.com/r/AITApod/Email - amitheahole@gmail.com Join Patreon! https://patreon.com/aitapodWhat's on Patreon?- 250+ Bonus eps- NO ADS and accurate timestamps- Complain and comment DIRECTLY to Danny :D TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@aitapodInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/aita_pod/
We are thrilled that this podcast is airing right after the 2025 American Society for Bioethics and Humanities meeting. It is based on a 2024 ASBH workshop “Remaking Bioethics Together.” Our guests are Stephen Molldrem, PhD, assistant professor and the research program director in Bioethics and Health Humanities at the University of Texas Medical Branch School of Public and Population Health, Krishna Chokshi, MD, associate professor of medicine in the division of hospital medicine at the Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC, Jonathan Shaffer, PhD, assistant professor in the department of sociology at the University of Vermont and Zackary Berger, MD, PhD, associate professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and in the division of general internal medicine at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Our guests discuss what led them to organize that workshop, beginning with an appreciation of how the principlist, individualist approach of bioethics falls short in addressing systemic challenges to equitable healthcare. Dr. Shaffer shared how his interest in remaking bioethics stems from observations of the focus on “fringe science” in ASBH meetings and the relative absence of more politically oriented moral theorizing. He discusses how sociological frames can help think about the production of shared norms and moral values. Drs. Berger and Chokshi discuss clinical systems ethics failures and what it would mean for Bioethics to think of Capitalism as an object of moral inquiry and to consider organizational ethics in relationships between Academic Medical Centers and communities. We discuss how the “imagined neutrality” of the field of Bioethics has evaporated in the recent overlapping crises of academic medicine. Dr. Molldrem discussed political organizing and the need to take power and its functioning seriously. At the 2025 ASBH meeting last week, this group took the next steps to begin organizing the field by recognizing threats and opportunities and considering resources at our disposal to effect change. Next steps include fostering scholarship around these ideas, considering methods of institutional change within bioethics institutions and collaborating within and across disciplines to foster change. Please reach out to us or our guests if you are inspired to join this crucial work.
Mephibosheth and the Kindness of God | 2 Samuel 9 | Pastor Steve Berger
In this episode, we talk with Lina & Florentin from No Worries Just Shapes, a 3D design duo from Vienna, about their journey from photography to creating immersive digital worlds. They share how their fascination with nature and technology shapes their work, how AI influences their creative process, and why community and collaboration are essential to what they do. We also dive into their experiences with public speaking, hosting meetups, and building connections in the creative scene.WebsiteInstagramVienna Motion Bunch
Send us a textIn this episode of the Walk 2 Wealth podcast, host John Mendez welcomes Jenny Berger, a heart-centered marketer and wellness advocate. They discuss the true meaning of wealth, which Jenny defines as health, especially after her personal health transformation during the pandemic. Jenny shares her journey of losing 110 pounds and emphasizes the importance of holistic wellness, mobility, and the cultural influences on food. They also explore the concept of Ikigai, the significance of personal branding in real estate, and the evolving landscape of marketing in the age of AI. The conversation wraps up with Jenny's insights on creating impactful content and the importance of alignment in life and work.TakeawaysWealth is defined as health and well-being.Personal health transformations can lead to greater clarity and purpose.Holistic wellness encompasses physical, spiritual, and emotional health.Mobility is crucial as we age and face physical challenges.Cultural backgrounds influence our relationship with food and health.The concept of Ikigai helps in finding one's purpose.Attention spans may not be shorter, but competition for attention has increased.Personal branding is essential in today's marketing landscape.AI is changing the marketing game, but authenticity remains key.Alignment in mind, body, and spirit is necessary for true abundance.Support the showHOW TO SUPPORT THE WALK 2 WEALTH PODCAST: 1. Subscribe, Rate, & Review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast platform. 2. Share Episodes with your family, friends, and co-workers.3. Whether you're just starting your business or your business is established, ChatGPT can help you take your business to the next level. Get Instant Access To My List of Top 10 ChatGPT Prompts To Save You Time, Energy, & Money: HTTPS://WWW.STOPANDSTARE.MEDIA/AI
Guds kjærlighet kan berøre våre hjerter og forvandle våre liv. I denne talen stopper vi opp ved Mefiboset - en stakkar i Bibelen som fikk et nytt liv på grunn av en god konge. Og vi ser at hans historie på mange måter også er vår historie. (Ps. Talen ble avsluttet med sangen "Av nåde er jeg båret" av North Worship - https://open.spotify.com/album/4OizmXfMo1G0w9elyqLHX0?si=Pzvy3qeuSlqeQeizeqws8g)
WELCOME TO CARRIED AWAY... THE SATC REWATCH PODCAST - where two twenty something women rewatch the iconic 90s series... twenty something years later. In this weeks episode we see the girls visit The Hamptons for the wedding of Bobby & Bitsy where Samantha borrows Richard's house, Miranda is a fucking fugitive, Charlotte falls for Harry and Carrie runs into a newly single Berger. We get Carried Away… discussing Bobby Fine the performer, Bitsy Von Muffling, the zsa zsa zsu v zsa zsa ew v zsa zsa jew, grabbing someones back hair, Steve in the crib, going from ex to sex, shitty pants being blacklisted from the Hamptons party, a berger with a side of single, sticking a cork up bradys arse, Richard's “good friends” & the rice krispie treats, Melon-gate, Stanford's confession, Berger THE BOLTER and abso-fucking-lutely everything in between. Find out which characters we relate to most and our hilarious quotes of the episode!
Lerche, Sabine www.deutschlandfunk.de, Sport am Samstag
Lerche, Sabine www.deutschlandfunk.de, Sport am Samstag
Oscar-winner Edward Berger joins us for a very special episode of Film Stories with Simon Brew. The pair meet to chat about Edward's new release, Ballad Of A Small Player, starring Colin Farrell. And the chat also goes back to Edward's early years making films for German television, through to finding himself on the awards circuit with All Quiet On The Western Front and Conclave. As we'll discuss, not a bad journey for someone who took a huge gamble and turned down a safe job with Ang Lee's company... Ballad Of A Small Player is on Netflix now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this ZFF Masters session, filmmaker Edward Berger talks to festival director Christian Jungen about his new film BALLAD OF A SMALL PLAYER, collaborating with Colin Farrell, turning down OCEAN'S 14, and his journey from German film to international cinema — including his deep connection to Switzerland. The writer-director, known for his emotionally rich and visually precise storytelling, Berger has earned global recognition with acclaimed works such as ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT (2022) and CONCLAVE (2024), receiving Oscar and BAFTA honors. His films feature international talents including Daniel Brühl, Isabella Rossellini, Ralph Fiennes and Colin Farrell, who joined him for his latest film, BALLAD OF A SMALL PLAYER. The film is avialable for streaming on Netflix from October 29. ZFF Masters are in-depth conversations with renowned voices from world cinema, which are open to the public and take place during the Zurich Film Festival. They offer audiences insight into the creative process and artistic vision of personalities in film around the world. Cover photography: Sven Bänziger
In a world full of corporate buzzwords, AI-generated fluff, and leadership jargon that could put a caffeinated squirrel to sleep, real storytelling cuts through like a hot knife through the B.S.Our guest this week, Dr. Rod Berger, has made a career of doing exactly that. As the author of The Narrative Edge, Rod is a strategic storyteller, keynote speaker, and media contributor whose 4,000+ interviews span the globe—from Magic Johnson to heads of state, and even an audience with Pope Francis.Rod joins us to share how authentic narratives transcend the noise of a fast-paced business world—highlighting what happens when leaders stop performing and start telling the truth from the inside out.In This Episode:How strategic storytelling builds authentic leadershipLessons from interviewing global icons like Magic Johnson and Pope FrancisWhy authenticity—not polish—makes stories stickThe most difficult business conversation Rod's ever had (and no, it wasn't with the partner who embezzled from his company)What happened later that day with his wife—and why that conversation mattered moreAbout Our Guest:Rod Berger, Psy.D. is the author of The Narrative Edge and a leading voice in strategic storytelling. With over 4,000 interviews under his belt, Rod brings a unique blend of psychological insight and media savvy to leaders, organizations, and audiences worldwide.Resources from this episode:Order The Narrative Edge by Dr. Rod Berger herePre-order the audio book hereSubscribe & Share:If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and leave us a review. Share it with your colleagues who might need a fresh perspective on thriving in challenging work environments!— Ready to take your difficult conversations to the next level?Get our book: I Need To F***ing Talk To You! | The Art of Navigating Difficult Workplace ConversationsAvailable on:AmazonOwl's Nest BooksShelf Life BooksVisit our website: ineedtof-ingtalktoyou.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Jared and Mike catch up on MAGA's witch hunt for "Antifa" terrorists and find that it isn't going particularly well. The White House has leaned on laughable influencers to persuade the public that Antifa actually exists and that protesters wearing Cookie Monster and Barney the Dinosaur costumes are proof of the problem. The guys play audio from an insane hype reel created by the White House and hear from Daryle Lamont Jenkins, who Andy Ngo since claimed is the "main leader" of Antifa.In the second half of this episode, the PTI crew details the history of "The Turner Diaries": an infamous white supremacist book that has inspired deadly acts of racist terrorism. They spoke to Kelvin Pierce, the son of William Luther Pierce, the prominent neo-Nazi who wrote the book, and hear how he rejected his father's ideology and worked to build a different world.The Turner Legacy: The Storied Origins and Enduring Impact of White Nationalism's Deadly Bible, J.M. Berger (2023)One People's ProjectLinks for Kelvin Pierce:Sins of My Father: Growing Up with America's Most Dangerous White Supremacist (2020)The Divine Child FoundationTransition Music: "Back to the Wind" by WhitneySign up for Patreon to get weekly bonus episodes
Ars Technica space journalist Eric Berger joins Chuck Todd to unpack the new global race to the moon — and why it’s about power as much as science. With China poised to beat the U.S. back to the lunar surface, NASA’s Artemis program faces both technological and geopolitical pressure. Berger and Todd explore how space has become the next great stage for competition, where the first shots of a future war could be fired — not on Earth, but in orbit. From SpaceX’s dominance and Elon Musk’s influence, to Blue Origin’s lagging efforts and Boeing’s uncertain role, the conversation digs into who will actually shape humanity’s future beyond Earth. They also discuss the growing role of private companies in both space exploration and weather forecasting, how AI is reshaping meteorology, and whether we’ll ever see space-based energy or asteroid mining become viable. It’s a sweeping look at how politics, technology, and ambition are colliding — in a sky that’s getting more crowded by the day. Timeline: 00:00 Eric Berger joins the Chuck ToddCast 01:00 China is on track to beat the U.S. back to the moon 02:30 NASA is still pursuing the Artemis program 03:45 Both the U.S. and China are targeting the moon’s south pole 06:00 If you want to be a superpower, needs a presence on the moon 06:30 SpaceX’s Starship is best equipped for Mars mission 07:15 Best methods of propulsion for long distance space missions 08:30 The biggest reason for lunar landing is geopolitics/flexing 09:15 Treaty says that no country can claim ownership of the moon 10:15 How would a private company stake a resource claim on the moon? 11:45 Has low earth orbit gotten too crowded with man made satellites? 12:45 In the next big war, the first shots will likely be fired into space 14:30 Cooperation in space has diminished, become more nationalistic 16:30 Most countries forced to rely on US, Russia and China for space launches 17:30 UAE is developing space capabilities with NASA’s help 18:15 NASA can’t get to space without private contractors/SpaceX 18:45 Elon Musk is the most important person to spacefight globally 20:15 Blue Origin is far behind SpaceX in capabilities for lunar lander 21:00 Will Boeing’s space program ever deliver? 22:00 Will the first space hotel be in orbit or on the moon? 23:00 There’s very little demand for orbital tourism, very expensive 24:30 Mars missions are incredibly different, will likely be one-way to start 26:00 There are no resources on Mars worth the cost of mining and shipping back 26:45 The only reason to go to Mars is to make humans a space-faring species 27:45 Robots are far superior to humans for scientific research missions 29:00 There’s more water on Europa than Earth, life could be there 30:30 Best places in solar system for humans to possibly create bases 32:15 Is Bezos’s idea of heavy manufacturing on the moon a pipe dream? 33:30 Mining asteroids could provide all the metals we’d ever need 34:15 SpaceX’s Falcon9 rocket made cost of accessing space far lower 35:30 Are energy production advances the best way to sell space costs to taxpayers? 37:15 Space based energy production is far from being commercially viable 38:30 The Europeans surpassed the U.S. at meteorology 39:30 Can AI tools help fill the gaps after U.S. cut funding for NOAA? 40:15 AI hurricane modeling seems to be just as good as physics based models 41:15 Private sector still relies on the government for weather forecasting 42:30 We need better data collection for our weather forecasting 44:45 Private companies are hiring their own meteorologists 47:30 Microforecasting has gotten much better due to the internet 48:38 What does Ars Technica cover and what is its mission? 50:45 Do we know more about the solar system or the oceans?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Massive “No Kings” protests swept across the country this weekend — peaceful, organized, and impossible to ignore. Chuck Todd breaks down what the demonstrations say about growing frustration with Trump’s leadership as his administration faces a government shutdown, soaring insurance costs, and a controversial new military campaign in the Caribbean. As Trump retweets crude AI videos and governs for only half the country, Congress remains silent on legally dubious strikes against Venezuela, an operation critics say has more to do with ousting Maduro than fighting drugs. Todd examines how America’s history of self-interest in Latin America and declining democratic norms at home have converged to create a moment of moral and political reckoning — and why ignoring it might come at a cost. Then, Ars Technica space journalist Eric Berger joins Chuck Todd to unpack the new global race to the moon — and why it’s about power as much as science. With China poised to beat the U.S. back to the lunar surface, NASA’s Artemis program faces both technological and geopolitical pressure. Berger and Todd explore how space has become the next great stage for competition, where the first shots of a future war could be fired — not on Earth, but in orbit. From SpaceX’s dominance and Elon Musk’s influence, to Blue Origin’s lagging efforts and Boeing’s uncertain role, the conversation digs into who will actually shape humanity’s future beyond Earth. They also discuss the growing role of private companies in both space exploration and weather forecasting, how AI is reshaping meteorology, and whether we’ll ever see space-based energy or asteroid mining become viable. It’s a sweeping look at how politics, technology, and ambition are colliding — in a sky that’s getting more crowded by the day. Finally, Chuck Todd hops in the ToddCast Time Machine to recap the history of the Teapot Dome scandal and how it closely mirrors the corruption of the Trump administration, answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment, and recaps the weekend in college football. Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 01:30 No Kings protests held around the country 02:15 Protests were timed deliberately in advance of elections 04:30 Huge turnout numbers at the protests 08:30 No incidents at protests that led to confrontations with police 09:45 Trump retweets AI video of himself flying plane and dropping poop 10:45 Trump has the mentality of a 13 year old boy 12:00 Trump has no lifelong friends 13:15 Trump isn’t traveling the country to sell his agenda, unlike first term 14:15 Remarkable that so many people are willing to protest on a Saturday 16:00 Republicans would be wise not to dismiss the protests 16:30 Controversy grows around Trump’s military strikes in Caribbean 17:45 Congress is failing to provide any oversight of the executive 19:00 Insurance notices indicating massive premium spikes coming soon 20:00 Shocking there’s less outrage Trump governs for only half the country 20:45 Government shutdown has turned into a giant mess 22:15 Trump’s administration hints they aren’t sure boat strikes are legal 23:45 Venezuela story would get more attention if it was anywhere else 24:30 Administration refuses to call the strikes “war” 25:15 Repatriating captives helps administration avoid legal questions 26:45 Legality of strikes will be eventually be determined in US courts 28:00 Claiming cartels are “terrorists” doesn’t meet legal definition 28:45 Venezuela isn’t part of the fentanyl drug trade 29:30 Trump & Rubio’s obsession is actually about getting rid of Nicolas Maduro 31:00 The U.S. military has never gone after narcoterrorists before 32:00 Congress has not authorized use of military force in Caribbean 33:30 Members of congress not convinced by rationale for strikes 35:00 Trump is greenlighting killings without making case for it 37:30 If overdose deaths are the rationale, the problem is with Mexico 39:00 Trump hasn’t ruled out striking the Venezuelan mainland 41:00 The US had never designated a cartel as terrorists until this year 44:30 America’s history in Latin America is atrocious and self-interested 48:15 Eric Berger joins the Chuck ToddCast 49:15 China is on track to beat the U.S. back to the moon 50:45 NASA is still pursuing the Artemis program 52:00 Both the U.S. and China are targeting the moon's south pole 54:15 If you want to be a superpower, needs a presence on the moon 54:45 SpaceX's Starship is best equipped for Mars mission 55:30 Best methods of propulsion for long distance space missions 56:45 The biggest reason for lunar landing is geopolitics/flexing 57:30 Treaty says that no country can claim ownership of the moon 58:30 How would a private company stake a resource claim on the moon? 1:00:00 Has low earth orbit gotten too crowded with man made satellites? 1:01:00 In the next big war, the first shots will likely be fired into space 1:02:45 Cooperation in space has diminished, become more nationalistic 1:04:45 Most countries forced to rely on US, Russia and China for space launches 1:05:45 UAE is developing space capabilities with NASA's help 1:06:30 NASA can't get to space without private contractors/SpaceX 1:07:00 Elon Musk is the most important person to spacefight globally 1:08:30 Blue Origin is far behind SpaceX in capabilities for lunar lander 1:09:15 Will Boeing's space program ever deliver? 1:10:15 Will the first space hotel be in orbit or on the moon? 1:11:15 There's very little demand for orbital tourism, very expensive 1:12:45 Mars missions are incredibly different, will likely be one-way to start 1:14:15 There are no resources on Mars worth the cost of mining and shipping back 1:15:00 The only reason to go to Mars is to make humans a space-faring species 1:16:00 Robots are far superior to humans for scientific research missions 1:17:15 There's more water on Europa than Earth, life could be there 1:18:45 Best places in solar system for humans to possibly create bases 1:20:30 Is Bezos's idea of heavy manufacturing on the moon a pipe dream? 1:21:45 Mining asteroids could provide all the metals we'd ever need 1:22:30 SpaceX's Falcon9 rocket made cost of accessing space far lower 1:23:45 Are energy production advances the best way to sell space costs to taxpayers? 1:25:30 Space based energy production is far from being commercially viable 1:26:45 The Europeans surpassed the U.S. at meteorology 1:27:45 Can AI tools help fill the gaps after U.S. cut funding for NOAA? 1:28:30 AI hurricane modeling seems to be just as good as physics based models 1:29:30 Private sector still relies on the government for weather forecasting 1:30:45 We need better data collection for our weather forecasting 1:33:00 Private companies are hiring their own meteorologists 1:35:45 Microforecasting has gotten much better due to the internet 1:36:53 What does Ars Technica cover and what is its mission? 1:39:00 Do we know more about the solar system or the oceans? 1:43:15 Chuck's thoughts on the interview with Eric Berger 1:43:30 ToddCast Time Machine 1:43:45 October 25th, 1929 - Jury convicts the first cabinet secretary to prison 1:45:15 Teapot Dome scandal 1:46:30 Harding signed executive order transferring oil fields, leased to oil barons 1:47:45 Fall received $7 million dollars in exchange for oil leases 1:49:15 Harding's death spawned conspiracy theories about corruption 1:49:45 Albert Fall convicted of bribery 1:50:30 Comparing teapot dome to Trump's modern day corruption 1:51:45 The "out" party should always be the one in charge of oversight 1:53:00 Watergate isn't the parallel to Trump's corruption, Teapot Dome is 1:53:15 Ask Chuck 1:53:30 Will the No Kings protests have any real effect on politics? 1:56:00 How can Democrats regain control of the political narrative? 2:01:00 College football updateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How does a star form? How does the universe form? And how can we use every bit of astronomical data to answer those questions? To find out, Dr. Charles Liu and co-host Allen Liu welcome astrostatistician Sabrina Berger, all the way from Melbourne, Australia, where she's currently pursuing her PhD. As always, though, we start off with the day's joyfully cool cosmic thing, the new radioastronomy photographs of Callisto, one of the moons of Jupiter, taken by ALMA. Sabrina talks about her own low-frequency radio astronomy research looking for hydrogen in the very early reionization period of the universe when the first galaxies were forming. (Be warned: we dive into the difficulties ionization poses for trying to discern these early processes, including a side trip into quantum mechanics, the hyperfine transition of neutral hydrogen at 21cm depicted on the plaque attached to the Pioneer spacecraft, and even the Cosmic Background Radiation.) You'll also hear how Sabrina is innovatively using GPS satellites to help calibrate large radioastronomy telescope arrays. For our first student question, Derek asks, “I heard that black holes can form right after the Big Bang, before stars do. How is that possible?” Sabrina describes these primordial black holes, and, although none have been confirmed yet, that there have been a number of papers published recently on the subject. In fact, one paper suggesting that the as-yet-undiscovered “Planet 9” could even be one of these primordial black holes. And then, finally, we get to the subject of astrostatistics, Sabrina's area of expertise. She explains that it allows you to harness every piece of information that you're observing in astronomy and to answer questions like “How does a star form?” or “How does the universe form?” You'll hear about huge data sets, the use of artificial intelligence, field level inferences… and the MCMC, or the Markov chain Monte Carlo used in statistics. (If you don't know what that is, you're not alone, and our own resident mathematician Allen helps Sabrina untangle the complexity with a cotton ball analogy that blew Chuck and Sabrina's collective minds!) For our next student question, Wally asks, “Why is redshift one like nine billion years ago, bur redshift two only two billion years before that, and redshift three only one billion years before that?” As Chuck says, “that's a little complicated,” just before he, Allen and Sabrina proceed to explain how we measure universal expansion, the passage of time, and the “stretching” of light. Our next conversation is one of the most controversial we've ever had and revolves around who Sabrina thinks makes the best espresso, Australia, Italy or a “Third Wave Coffee Shop” like we have here in the US. You'll hear about why there's an ISSpresso machine on the ISS – and how the Italian Space Agency invented a way to make an espresso in zero-g! Plus, you'll hear a little about the work-life balance in Australia and how wonderful astronomy down under is. (Check out our Patreon for the story behind the Australian Aboriginal "Emu-in-the-sky" constellation.) If you'd like to know more about Sabrina, you can find her on Twitter and Blue Sky @sabrinastronomy or check out her research on her website. We hope you enjoy this episode of The LIUniverse, and, if you do, please support us on Patreon. Credits for Images Used in this Episode: An image of Jupiter's icy moon Callisto, photographed by NASA's Galileo spacecraft in 2001. – Credit: NASA/Galileo Photograph of Jupiter taken in 2019. The four fainter objects are four of its moons (left to right): Callisto, Ganymede, Io, and Europa. – Credit: Creative Commons / Rehman Abubakr ALMA images of Callisto – Credit: Maria Camarca et al 2025 Planet. Sci. J. 6 183. See the ALMA/Callisto paper: “A Multifrequency Global View of Callisto's Thermal Properties from ALMA”: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/PSJ/ade7ee Timeline of the universe. – Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI The Pioneer plaques, attached to the Pioneer 10 and 11 spacecraft. – Credit: NASA Sedna orbit with solar system (Sun, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto visible) and positions on Jan 1, 2017 – Credit: Creative Commons / Tom Ruen Redshift and universe expansion. As light travels from great distances to Hubble's mirrors, it is stretched to longer and longer red wavelengths, or cosmologically redshifted, as the universe expands. – Credit: NASA, ESA, Leah Hustak (STScI) The ISSpresso machine on the International Space Station.– Credit: NASA Astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti drinking espresso out of the cup on ISS, 2015 – Credit: NASA #liuniverse #charlesliu #allenliu #sciencepodcast #astronomypodcast #sabrinaberger #astrostatistician #astrostatistics #redshift #blackholes #primordialblackholes #callisto #alma #planet9 #sedna #universeexpansion #isspresso
Lara Peters talks to director Edward Berger (Conclave, All Quiet On The Western Front) about his new film, Ballad of a Small Player. Lord Doyle (Colin Farrell) is lying low in Macau – spending his days and nights on the casino floors, drinking heavily and gambling what little money he has left. Struggling to keep up with his fast-rising debts, he is offered a lifeline by the mysterious Dao Ming (Fala Chen), a casino employee with secrets of her own. However, in hot pursuit is Cynthia Blithe (Tilda Swinton) – a private investigator ready to confront Doyle with what he is running from. As Doyle tries to climb to salvation, the confines of reality start to close in. If you'd like to send us a voice memo for use in a future episode, please email podcast@picturehouses.co.uk. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts. Follow us on Spotify. Find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram with @picturehouses. Find our latest cinema listings at picturehouses.com. Produced by Stripped Media. Thank you for listening. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe, rate, review and share with your friends. Vive le Cinema.
On this week's episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum talks with the man who is challenging North Carolina's most powerful politician. Senate leader Phil Berger has led Republicans ever since they took full control of the legislature in 2011. However, an unsuccessful attempt to expand casinos in the state opened the door for criticism. As a result, Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page plans to run against Sen. Berger in next year's Republican primary. This week, we get to know Sheriff Page, why he's running, and why he thinks he can beat the Berger campaign and money behind it.
Suave Golf's Kyle Surlow and Steve 'Beige' Berger discuss the current state of golf during the offseason, recap recent pro tournaments including Xander Schauffele's win in Japan and Jeeno Thitikul's vicotry in Shanghai, and delve into Tiger Woods' latest surgery. They also explore Rory McIlroy's shift towards global golf and the implications for the PGA Tour. The episode concludes with a new segment on the top five worst things that can happen on the golf course. Music provided by broiler - listen to and download his music here Support those who support us! SUAVE GOLF - world-class golf sabbaticals and fine goods Hot Drops fermented & flavorful condiments Golf Guide - purveyors of discounted greens fees across Northern California WATCH - Like & Subscribe to Nice Grass Nice People on YouTube Email us! nicegrassnicepeople@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
durée : 02:25:34 - Les Matins - par : Guillaume Erner, Yoann Duval - - réalisation : Félicie Faugère
durée : 00:39:42 - L'Invité(e) des Matins - par : Guillaume Erner, Yoann Duval - Alors que Sébastien Lecornu a annoncé hier la suspension de la réforme des retraites jusqu'aux élections présidentielles de 2027, nous recevons ce matin l'un de ses plus fervents opposants. Laurent Berger, ancien secrétaire général de la CFDT, nous présente les mois de lutte contre la réforme. - réalisation : Félicie Faugère - invités : Laurent Berger Ex- secrétaire général de la CFDT, directeur de l'Institut mutualiste pour l'Environnement et la Solidarité
En este programa de Relatos del lado oscuro abordamos un exorcismo realizado en Francia en 1953 por los sacerdotes Berger y Laqueur. Además se recrea una interesante entrevista que dio el exorcista Padre Amorth a un diario italiano en el año 2000.
Tom Lewis, DVM, DACVD is back on the podcast! Last year, Dr. Lewis joined the podcast last year to discuss the release of Zenrelia. One year later, he is back to discuss his experience with having this medication for a year and the relief it has provided for hundreds of his canine patients. Also, we discuss the recent change to the US boxed label warning which removed the vaccine induced disease portion of the label.Learn more on this week's episode of The Derm Vet podcast!Studies mentioned in podcast: Recent study regarding vaccine booster response in dogs receiving Zenrelia: Fent, G.M., Jacela, J., Plazola-Ortiz, R. et al. Immunologic response to first booster vaccination in dogs treated with zenrelia™ (ilunocitinib tablets) at up to three times the recommended therapeutic dose compared to untreated controls. BMC Vet Res 21, 481 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04929-zRecent study regarding safety of Zenrelia: S. Forster, C. M. Trout, S. Despa, A. Boegel, D. Berger, and S. King, “ Efficacy and Field Safety of Ilunocitinib for the Control of Allergic Dermatitis in Client-Owned Dogs: A Multicenter, Double-Masked, Randomised, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial,” Veterinary Dermatology (2025): 1–13, https://doi.org/10.1111/vde.70009.Timestamps00:00 Intro02:46 Zenrelia box label warning change08:14 What does the box label warning change mean and why it's only in the US?12:10 Looking at every patient as an individual17:00 How comfortable do you feel using Zenrelia long-term?22:14 Outro
This episode is a deeply personal one. I'm honored tosit down with the 22nd President of Trinity College, JoanneBerger-Sweeney, to reflect on her remarkable leadership and the impact of the All In campaign—the most ambitious fundraising effort in the college's history. Despite serious headwinds, All In achieved extraordinary success, thanks to Joanne's steady vision, the dedication of Trinity's trustees, and the commitment of the entire community. In our conversation,Joanne shares stories of perseverance, moments of light through tragedy, and what it means to work with purpose until the very last day. This episode is dedicated in loving memory to Michael Casey.
Suave Golf's Kyle Surlow and Steve 'Beige' Berger reflect on their experiences with the 2025 Ryder Cup, discussing the emotional aftermath, the impact of fan behavior, and memorable moments from past Ryder Cups. They analyze the performance of both teams, the course setup, and the significance of individual players' contributions. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by the American team and the dominance of the European squad. They also discuss the MVPs of the tournament and what golf fans will ultimately remember about this Ryder Cup in the years to come. The discussion also covers the future of Ryder Cup captains and the implications of the envelope rule, concluding with a look ahead to captain candidates for 2027 at Adare Manor. Music provided by broiler - listen to and download his music here Support those who support us! SUAVE GOLF - world-class golf sabbaticals and fine goods Hot Drops fermented & flavorful condiments Golf Guide - purveyors of discounted greens fees across Northern California WATCH - Like & Subscribe to Nice Grass Nice People on YouTube Email us! nicegrassnicepeople@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
WELCOME TO CARRIED AWAY... THE SATC REWATCH PODCAST - where two twenty something women rewatch the iconic 90s series... twenty something years later. In this weeks episode we see Carrie meet BERGER before her book launch, Sam gets a chemical peel, Miranda struggles to balance motherhood and dating and Charlotte's divorce battle with Bunny continues. We get Carried Away… discussing getting lost at the beach, driving stresses, Sam and Anthony working together, Carrie's loneliness confession, Miranda failing to tell Walker she had a baby, Sam's chemical peel, the best driver ever, expectations, Prince Charming from Shrek, avoiding your boss in public and abso-fucking-lutely everything in between. Find out which characters we relate to most and our hilarious quotes of the episode!
Robby Berger from Bob Does Sports checks in to talk about the Yankees win and he's very bothered by Marlins man sitting behind home plate.
Le 17 août 1991, sur les hauteurs du village de Castellar près de Menton, un jeune berger, Pierre Leschiera, est retrouvé mort. Il a été tué d'un coup de fusil dans le dos et d'un autre en pleine face. Les débuts de l'enquête révèlent des inimitiés entre le berger et les chasseurs du village. Hébergé par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.
Suave Golf's Kyle Surlow is joined by Steve 'Beige' Berger and Chris Derr to preview this weekend's Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black! The hosts reflect on their personal experiences with the Ryder Cup, the dynamics of crowd behavior, and the potential impact of fan interactions on players. They also analyze key players, including rookies, and the unique challenges of match play, particularly regarding concessions and etiquette. They analyze player dynamics, potential pairings, and the legacy of key players, particularly focusing on Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. The discussion highlights the importance of match play experience and the unique challenges faced by players in high-stakes situations. As they predict outcomes for the upcoming Ryder Cup, they emphasize the significance of team cohesion and individual performance. Support those who support us! SUAVE GOLF - world-class golf sabbaticals and fine goods Hot Drops fermented & flavorful condiments Golf Guide - purveyors of discounted greens fees across Northern California WATCH - Like & Subscribe to Nice Grass Nice People on YouTube Email us! nicegrassnicepeople@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
SPECIAL - Harrison Berger : The CIA Attacks Civil Liberties.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Today Alec, Erik, and Returning guest Dom Berger dive clown-first into the original IT mini-series from 1990, where Tim Curry's Pennywise out-acts everyone, the child trauma is deep, and Bill's ponytail steals the show. Float with us through haunted storm drains, psychic turtle lore, and a group of friends who defeat evil with the power of friendship and extremely awkward hugs. Beep Beep Richie!Full Video episode YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wheelofhorrorpodcast1802/videosApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wheel-of-horror/id1534102813 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3HnyAISG8Z8hvMFdSG60tE?si=9b785cf21c7f46a3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wheel_of_horror/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/HorrorWheel
Von Daniel and Jared Berger are the co-owners of The Comedy Arena in McKinney, TX. The Comedy Arena is both a performance venue and a training center, offering improv, stand-up, sketch, and more. In this episode, we talk about the growth of the comedy scene in North Texas, the challenges of running a venue, and how The Comedy Arena has built a community for both performers and fans. Enjoy! I'M A FAN OF: https://linktr.ee/Imafanof The Comedy Arena: https://www.thecomedyarena.com/
Scott visits his good friends Rudy and Lynette Berger at their new Barn Gym. They talk about why they purchased a barn, Why the need for this dedicated space and what are the future plans. Plus we talk about Rudy's comeback to a Games victory this year and what he learned from his 3rd place finish last year. Come Join us on the awesome chat about Fitness, Faith and Family. Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7_bb_2e9Qq2NVCrgADCE6A/join
BOSSes, Anne Ganguzza is joined by the incomparable Melique Berger, a true icon in the voiceover world with over 50 years of acting experience. In this powerful conversation, they explore the central truth of the industry: a voice actor must be an actor first.
Mark Your Calendars for TIQUE'S BIRTHDAY SALE! Sept. 22nd-26th | Get 15% Off! Boutique hotels may look effortless on the outside, but behind the scenes they run on strategy, teamwork, and a relentless eye for detail. In this episode, Jennifer chats with Candace Berger, Director of Marketing at Wild Door, who represents two of the industry's remarkable hidden gems: Maison Hudson in New York and Maison Vi Laroi in Paris. Candace pulls back the curtain on what it truly takes to wow guests: from personalizing every stay and safeguarding client confidentiality to the nonstop hustle most people never see. You'll learn why crystal-clear communication between advisors and hoteliers matters, how honesty sets the tone for unforgettable experiences, and why heartfelt service always beats cookie-cutter luxury. If you've ever wanted an insider's look at how hotels craft stays that turn into stories, this episode has the secrets! About Candice Berger: Candice, a Taurus from the French Riviera, is based in Cannes and has spent the past 20 years in luxury hospitality crafting experiences where the smallest detail creates the biggest memory. Guided by her motto, “good is never enough,” she brings both passion and precision to everything she does. A proud mother to her two-and-a-half-year-old son, Andreas, and caretaker of a 14-year-old pug who still rules the house, Candice thrives on obsessing over details, thinking outside the box, and transforming stays into stories that guests take home. Today, she shares how teamwork and a creative mindset shape truly unforgettable moments. Today we will cover: (02:15) Candace's journey Into luxury hospitality (06:10) The dynamic world of boutique hotels and luxury travel (08:40) Personalizing guest experiences for lasting memories (13:55) Why travel advisors are essential partners for hoteliers (21:45) Redefining VIP service: treating every guest like a VIP (25:50) Creative approaches to tailored guest stays (32:55) The hidden labor and “good war” behind flawless hospitality (37:50) Service recovery: turning challenges into loyalty-building moments (43:45) Post-stay connections and guest reflections Download the Sales Call Quide: http://tiquehq.com/sales-call?utm_source=Podcast+Episode+148&utm_medium=Podcast+Episode+148&utm_campaign=Sales+Call+Scripts JOIN THE NICHE COMMUNITY VISIT THE TEMPLATE SHOP EXPLORE THE PROGRAMS FOLLOW ALONG ON INSTAGRAM @TiqueHQ Thanks to Our Tique Talks Sponsors: Moxie & Fourth - Grab The DIY Demo Bundle HERE!
Suave Golf's Kyle Surlow and Steve 'Beige' Berger dive into the exciting world of golf as they prepare for next week's Ryder Cup. They discuss the overwhelming sports weekend, recap Scottie Scheffler's win at the Procore, Alex Noren emerging victorious at the BMW PGA, and Charley Hull's dubious win in Cincinnati, and analyze the performances of key players. The conversation shifts to the dynamics of the Ryder Cup teams, including vice captains and potential what-if scenarios for player selections. The hosts also take a stock watch of both Team USA and Team Europe, assessing their readiness for the competition. With anticipation building, they conclude with final thoughts on the upcoming event and the excitement it brings to golf fans. Support those who support us! SUAVE GOLF - world-class golf sabbaticals and fine goods Hot Drops fermented & flavorful condiments Golf Guide - purveyors of discounted greens fees across Northern California WATCH - Like & Subscribe to Nice Grass Nice People on YouTube Email us! nicegrassnicepeople@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
3. Liftoff: Elon Musk and the Desperate Early Days that Launched SpaceX by Eric Berger, chronicles the turbulent and often precarious genesis of Elon Musk's ambitious rocket company, SpaceX. The narrative begins in March 2006 on Omelek Island, part of the Marshall Islands, where SpaceX prepared for the inaugural flight of its Falcon 1 rocket. Musk, having conceived the idea in 2001 to disrupt the space industry, founded SpaceX in 2002 despite being "laughed out of the room" by experts. He self-educated in rocketry and committed a significant portion of his fortune to the venture, pioneering a vertically integrated approach to manufacturing, building components like the Merlin engine in-house to reduce costs and accelerate development. The first three Falcon 1 launches were failures, each providing critical, hard-won lessons: 1. Launch 1 (March 2006): The Merlin engine ignited, but a corroded bolt, exacerbated by the humid tropical environment, caused a fuel leak and an engine fire, leading the rocket to crash back onto Omelek Island just 30 seconds after liftoff. Musk's philosophy that "failure is an option" guided the immediate post-crash investigation to collect debris and pinpoint the cause. 2. Launch 2 (March 2007): Despite the first stage working perfectly, the second stage, lacking "slosh baffles" (omitted based on computer models to save weight), spun out of control due to fuel sloshing. While it reached space (above 100 km), it failed to achieve a stable orbit, meaning SpaceX was not yet considered a "real rocket company" in the industry. This failure popularized the SpaceX proverb, "always go to 11". 3. Launch 3 (August 2008): Carrying multiple customer payloads, including the ashes of Star Trek's Scotty, this launch again saw a successful first stage. However, an unexpected relight of the first stage engine after separation caused it to bump and knock the second stage off course, killing the mission. This was a profound setback, as Musk had budgeted for only three flights, and the global economy was simultaneously collapsing. With the company nearly out of money and the world in a severe recession, Musk gathered his team, who expected him to announce closure. Instead, he declared they would make one more attempt with the remaining rocket parts, demanding it be ready in six weeks, though six months would have been more realistic. This fourth rocket's journey was not without its own drama: during transport in an Air Force C-17, the first stage imploded due to a pressure differential (SpaceX had used an outdated manual for the aircraft's pressurization). A young engineer, Zack Dunn, heroically crawled inside the crumpling rocket during descent to manually open valves, saving it from destruction. After rapid repairs, the fourth Falcon 1 launched in late September 2008. This time, it achieved orbit, carrying a dummy payload named "Rats". The team's jubilation, screaming "Orbit, orbit" at each other, marked a pivotal moment that Berger describes as "the end of the beginning" for SpaceX. This success, amidst immense technical hurdles, financial desperation, and a global economic crisis, underscored Musk's relentless determination, vertical integration strategy, and acceptance of failure as a learning tool. 1957
1. Liftoff: Elon Musk and the Desperate Early Days that Launched SpaceX by Eric Berger, chronicles the turbulent and often precarious genesis of Elon Musk's ambitious rocket company, SpaceX. The narrative begins in March 2006 on Omelek Island, part of the Marshall Islands, where SpaceX prepared for the inaugural flight of its Falcon 1 rocket. Musk, having conceived the idea in 2001 to disrupt the space industry, founded SpaceX in 2002 despite being "laughed out of the room" by experts. He self-educated in rocketry and committed a significant portion of his fortune to the venture, pioneering a vertically integrated approach to manufacturing, building components like the Merlin engine in-house to reduce costs and accelerate development. The first three Falcon 1 launches were failures, each providing critical, hard-won lessons: 1. Launch 1 (March 2006): The Merlin engine ignited, but a corroded bolt, exacerbated by the humid tropical environment, caused a fuel leak and an engine fire, leading the rocket to crash back onto Omelek Island just 30 seconds after liftoff. Musk's philosophy that "failure is an option" guided the immediate post-crash investigation to collect debris and pinpoint the cause. 2. Launch 2 (March 2007): Despite the first stage working perfectly, the second stage, lacking "slosh baffles" (omitted based on computer models to save weight), spun out of control due to fuel sloshing. While it reached space (above 100 km), it failed to achieve a stable orbit, meaning SpaceX was not yet considered a "real rocket company" in the industry. This failure popularized the SpaceX proverb, "always go to 11". 3. Launch 3 (August 2008): Carrying multiple customer payloads, including the ashes of Star Trek's Scotty, this launch again saw a successful first stage. However, an unexpected relight of the first stage engine after separation caused it to bump and knock the second stage off course, killing the mission. This was a profound setback, as Musk had budgeted for only three flights, and the global economy was simultaneously collapsing. With the company nearly out of money and the world in a severe recession, Musk gathered his team, who expected him to announce closure. Instead, he declared they would make one more attempt with the remaining rocket parts, demanding it be ready in six weeks, though six months would have been more realistic. This fourth rocket's journey was not without its own drama: during transport in an Air Force C-17, the first stage imploded due to a pressure differential (SpaceX had used an outdated manual for the aircraft's pressurization). A young engineer, Zack Dunn, heroically crawled inside the crumpling rocket during descent to manually open valves, saving it from destruction. After rapid repairs, the fourth Falcon 1 launched in late September 2008. This time, it achieved orbit, carrying a dummy payload named "Rats". The team's jubilation, screaming "Orbit, orbit" at each other, marked a pivotal moment that Berger describes as "the end of the beginning" for SpaceX. This success, amidst immense technical hurdles, financial desperation, and a global economic crisis, underscored Musk's relentless determination, vertical integration strategy, and acceptance of failure as a learning tool. 1955
2. Liftoff: Elon Musk and the Desperate Early Days that Launched SpaceX by Eric Berger, chronicles the turbulent and often precarious genesis of Elon Musk's ambitious rocket company, SpaceX. The narrative begins in March 2006 on Omelek Island, part of the Marshall Islands, where SpaceX prepared for the inaugural flight of its Falcon 1 rocket. Musk, having conceived the idea in 2001 to disrupt the space industry, founded SpaceX in 2002 despite being "laughed out of the room" by experts. He self-educated in rocketry and committed a significant portion of his fortune to the venture, pioneering a vertically integrated approach to manufacturing, building components like the Merlin engine in-house to reduce costs and accelerate development. The first three Falcon 1 launches were failures, each providing critical, hard-won lessons: 1. Launch 1 (March 2006): The Merlin engine ignited, but a corroded bolt, exacerbated by the humid tropical environment, caused a fuel leak and an engine fire, leading the rocket to crash back onto Omelek Island just 30 seconds after liftoff. Musk's philosophy that "failure is an option" guided the immediate post-crash investigation to collect debris and pinpoint the cause. 2. Launch 2 (March 2007): Despite the first stage working perfectly, the second stage, lacking "slosh baffles" (omitted based on computer models to save weight), spun out of control due to fuel sloshing. While it reached space (above 100 km), it failed to achieve a stable orbit, meaning SpaceX was not yet considered a "real rocket company" in the industry. This failure popularized the SpaceX proverb, "always go to 11". 3. Launch 3 (August 2008): Carrying multiple customer payloads, including the ashes of Star Trek's Scotty, this launch again saw a successful first stage. However, an unexpected relight of the first stage engine after separation caused it to bump and knock the second stage off course, killing the mission. This was a profound setback, as Musk had budgeted for only three flights, and the global economy was simultaneously collapsing. With the company nearly out of money and the world in a severe recession, Musk gathered his team, who expected him to announce closure. Instead, he declared they would make one more attempt with the remaining rocket parts, demanding it be ready in six weeks, though six months would have been more realistic. This fourth rocket's journey was not without its own drama: during transport in an Air Force C-17, the first stage imploded due to a pressure differential (SpaceX had used an outdated manual for the aircraft's pressurization). A young engineer, Zack Dunn, heroically crawled inside the crumpling rocket during descent to manually open valves, saving it from destruction. After rapid repairs, the fourth Falcon 1 launched in late September 2008. This time, it achieved orbit, carrying a dummy payload named "Rats". The team's jubilation, screaming "Orbit, orbit" at each other, marked a pivotal moment that Berger describes as "the end of the beginning" for SpaceX. This success, amidst immense technical hurdles, financial desperation, and a global economic crisis, underscored Musk's relentless determination, vertical integration strategy, and acceptance of failure as a learning tool. 1955
4. Liftoff: Elon Musk and the Desperate Early Days that Launched SpaceX by Eric Berger, chronicles the turbulent and often precarious genesis of Elon Musk's ambitious rocket company, SpaceX. The narrative begins in March 2006 on Omelek Island, part of the Marshall Islands, where SpaceX prepared for the inaugural flight of its Falcon 1 rocket. Musk, having conceived the idea in 2001 to disrupt the space industry, founded SpaceX in 2002 despite being "laughed out of the room" by experts. He self-educated in rocketry and committed a significant portion of his fortune to the venture, pioneering a vertically integrated approach to manufacturing, building components like the Merlin engine in-house to reduce costs and accelerate development. The first three Falcon 1 launches were failures, each providing critical, hard-won lessons: 1. Launch 1 (March 2006): The Merlin engine ignited, but a corroded bolt, exacerbated by the humid tropical environment, caused a fuel leak and an engine fire, leading the rocket to crash back onto Omelek Island just 30 seconds after liftoff. Musk's philosophy that "failure is an option" guided the immediate post-crash investigation to collect debris and pinpoint the cause. 2. Launch 2 (March 2007): Despite the first stage working perfectly, the second stage, lacking "slosh baffles" (omitted based on computer models to save weight), spun out of control due to fuel sloshing. While it reached space (above 100 km), it failed to achieve a stable orbit, meaning SpaceX was not yet considered a "real rocket company" in the industry. This failure popularized the SpaceX proverb, "always go to 11". 3. Launch 3 (August 2008): Carrying multiple customer payloads, including the ashes of Star Trek's Scotty, this launch again saw a successful first stage. However, an unexpected relight of the first stage engine after separation caused it to bump and knock the second stage off course, killing the mission. This was a profound setback, as Musk had budgeted for only three flights, and the global economy was simultaneously collapsing. With the company nearly out of money and the world in a severe recession, Musk gathered his team, who expected him to announce closure. Instead, he declared they would make one more attempt with the remaining rocket parts, demanding it be ready in six weeks, though six months would have been more realistic. This fourth rocket's journey was not without its own drama: during transport in an Air Force C-17, the first stage imploded due to a pressure differential (SpaceX had used an outdated manual for the aircraft's pressurization). A young engineer, Zack Dunn, heroically crawled inside the crumpling rocket during descent to manually open valves, saving it from destruction. After rapid repairs, the fourth Falcon 1 launched in late September 2008. This time, it achieved orbit, carrying a dummy payload named "Rats". The team's jubilation, screaming "Orbit, orbit" at each other, marked a pivotal moment that Berger describes as "the end of the beginning" for SpaceX. This success, amidst immense technical hurdles, financial desperation, and a global economic crisis, underscored Musk's relentless determination, vertical integration strategy, and acceptance of failure as a learning tool. 1958