Podcasts about Bowser

It finally happened. After years of aerial photographs, land speculation, and breathless anticipation, Mike and EB walk through the gates of Universal Epic Universe — and it does not disappoint.   Well, mostly. Stardust Racers is still closed, Yoshi's Adventure is aggressively just a Yoshi that meanders, and someone on Twitter says the whole thing might need to be torn down. But other than that? Top five park day. Tom from Louisville said so himself, and Tom from Louisville has been to a lot of parks.   Mike and EB go portal by portal through the whole thing — 1920s Paris at Ministry of Magic (280-minute wait; they waited 20. We said what we said.), Le Cirque Arcanus with the magic tent that's bigger on the inside, Bowser's Challenge being better than advertised, Donkey Kong Country being exactly as fun as a cartoon mine cart should be, Hiccup's Wing Gliders being a surprise contender for ride of the trip, and Monsters Unchained delivering actual honest-to-God jump scares in a theme park.   They also discovered that the Burning Blade Tavern serves drinks in a beaker with what may or may not be microplastics in it. It was delicious.   Plus: Seven Six Flags parks are sold for $342 million — less than the cost of a highway overpass. Disney's parks get a new worldwide president, and they hope he lives long enough to be a hero. Muppet Vision 3D is going to VR, a decision that exactly zero people are satisfied with. And Barracuda Strike opens at SeaWorld San Antonio — the family invert where the artwork shows the track going underwater, but the track does not go underwater.

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor are back together after Drew's birthday escape to Palm Springs, and they've got plenty of animation news to talk about. Pixar has its biggest ever box office for an original film opening, Pete Docter's Wall Street Journal interview takes an odd turn but at least they have a musical on the way, and of course there are the Old Spice marketing tie-ins to the upcoming Super Mario Galaxy movie that want you to smell like Bowser. HIGHLIGHTS • Disney Legend Floyd Norman's screening and Q&A at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC has been postponed with no rescheduled date available as of yet • Hoppers has the best opening for a Pixar original film yet with an 88 million dollar worldwide gross • The first 40,000 fans through the gates on March 31st at the L.A. Dodgers game against the Cleveland Guardians will get an exclusive Yoshi bobblehead • Drew drops an exclusive story about the upcoming sequel to The Wild Robot • Cartoon Lagoon has a new film, Kindred Spirits, coming in 2028  • Jim and Drew discuss Pete Docter's recent interview with the Wall Street Journal and the reactions to it HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com• Drew Taylor - IG: @drewtailored | X: @DrewTailored | Website: drewtaylor.work FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews• Instagram: JimHillMedia• TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave GreyProduced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR Unlock MagicPlanning a Disney or Universal trip in 2026? Unlock Magic helps you secure the very best deals on theme park tickets, with expert support from people who truly know the parks. Visit unlockedmagic.com to start planning your next adventure. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Hill and Drew Taylor are back together after Drew's birthday escape to Palm Springs, and they've got plenty of animation news to talk about. Pixar has its biggest ever box office for an original film opening, Pete Docter's Wall Street Journal interview takes an odd turn but at least they have a musical on the way, and of course there are the Old Spice marketing tie-ins to the upcoming Super Mario Galaxy movie that want you to smell like Bowser. HIGHLIGHTS • Disney Legend Floyd Norman's screening and Q&A at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC has been postponed with no rescheduled date available as of yet • Hoppers has the best opening for a Pixar original film yet with an 88 million dollar worldwide gross • The first 40,000 fans through the gates on March 31st at the L.A. Dodgers game against the Cleveland Guardians will get an exclusive Yoshi bobblehead • Drew drops an exclusive story about the upcoming sequel to The Wild Robot • Cartoon Lagoon has a new film, Kindred Spirits, coming in 2028  • Jim and Drew discuss Pete Docter's recent interview with the Wall Street Journal and the reactions to it HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com• Drew Taylor - IG: @drewtailored | X: @DrewTailored | Website: drewtaylor.work FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews• Instagram: JimHillMedia• TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave GreyProduced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR Unlock MagicPlanning a Disney or Universal trip in 2026? Unlock Magic helps you secure the very best deals on theme park tickets, with expert support from people who truly know the parks. Visit unlockedmagic.com to start planning your next adventure. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're finally covering one of our favorite Mario games! Super Mario 3D World is the ideal version of a Mario game in so many ways, including musically. A month of Mario is, if nothing else, a great excuse to celebrate how great Bowser is, the importance of a single inhalation of breath, and suffering together on Champion's Road. Never call Toad a liability.► Check out our stream VOD where we played a bunch of Super Mario 3D World co-op(00:00) Intro(11:17) Housekeeping(20:44) Enhance Soundtrack Giveaway Drawing(25:55) Sean Capri Presents The State of the Nintendo Music Address(41:25) Super Mario 3D World(2:34:38) YouTube Comment Oversharing Corner(2:52:50) Patron shoutouts(2:54:46) Haikus & Outro✉️ Send email to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠bitharmonypod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Q OF THE DAY: Who would you select as Earth's ultimate athletes, to compete in unknown intergalactic physical challenges? The team chat to Libby Trickett about her exciting new pod + what it means to be a healthy sport parent. Liam may have embarrassed himself in front of Mary Fowler with a case of mistaken identity... but he's still not sure? The fuel bowser battles rage on & George has a horrible story about someone who operated a belt sander wearing only a sarong. You can imagine what happens next....See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a bumper episode of Checkpoint Chat we share our thoughts on Resident Evil Requiem, some concerns over the launch of Marathon, the exceptional challenge of climbing adventure Cairn, the mediocrity of God of War: Sons of Sparta, the absolute BS that is Bilewater in Hollow Knight Silksong, and the delightful joy of being cat Mario in Bowser's Fury.Follow Checkpoint Chat on...Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheckpointChat​​Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheckpointChatInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/checkpointchatBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/checkpointchat.bsky.social Want to listen to more gaming goodness, on other platforms? Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, and more right here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/checkpointchat-- SHOW NOTES --00:00:00​ - Shaving is such a pain00:15:37 - Resident Evil Requiem is scary good00:36:40​ - Is Marathon going to be okay?00:51:20​ - Cairn is an indie gem01:08:10​ - God of War: Sons of Sparta is... okay01:20:03​ - Sandy hates Bilewater in Silksong (don't we all?)01:28:42​ - Bowser's Fury is a blueprint for future Mario games#gamingpodcast #gamingchannels #gamingreview

How long can naked friends resist becoming lovers?By darrenr. Listen to the ► Podcast at Steamy Stories.“Breasts, yes. I want to show you my breasts,” Anna said, making a simple request that complicated everything.Jake instinctively glanced down at her chest, before wrenching his gaze back to her face. His mind raced in useless circles around a single thought: Danger!“But you have to promise to tell me if that would make you uncomfortable,” Anna said. “I can only ask you this favor because our friendship is both close and solidly non-romantic. I completely understand if my request is just too flippin' weird!”Jake had never been less comfortable in his life. This felt like a bad idea.He wanted it anyway.Feeling ashamed of himself, Jake forced himself to think. Anna wouldn't ask unless it was important to her. He didn't want to hurt her feelings, so he tried a joke. “Compared to eating the terrible chicken dinner you made last night, this sounds like a walk in the park.”Anna erupted in giggling. She was clearly nervous, but it was comforting to hear her infectious laugh. That, at least, felt normal.They met about a year ago, neighbors moving in on the same day. She had a kind face. If she wore makeup, it wasn't enough to notice. She was an inch taller, had brown eyes and long blonde hair–brilliantly shining blonde–always in a ponytail. Her face seemed to have only two states: stern concentration or an easy smile. She had a solid aspect to her figure but wasn't fat. Her tight jeans revealed strong legs and a substantial bottom that her height proportioned nicely. A baggy flannel shirt hid any details about her breasts.Although Jake tended to be shy, an endless conversation began during their second shared elevator trip. Her name was Aine, but she went by Anna. She liked hiking and tinkering with electronics. They both just moved into town and it was their first time living on their own. Anna did some kind of computer engineering work that sounded much cooler than the business analysis work he did. They both used Excel spreadsheets extensively for work and shared many of the same frustrations with its quirks. They liked a lot of the same video games and movies and had plenty to talk about.That first night they shared take-out at Jake's place, which was the start of Anna's habit of visiting constantly. Jake insisted on paying. To repay him, the next night Anna made dinner in his kitchen. Jake then reciprocated the following night. Neither of them was a very good cook, but it worked out. They ate dinner together nearly every day, alternating cooking and cleanup. Anna declared it was more efficient to share food between two people. She also decided Jake's pot, pan, and dish situation was better than hers, so they used his kitchen. Jake gave her the spare key to his apartment and she came and went as she pleased. He started to develop real feelings for her. This stopped when, after a week hanging out together, Anna mused on the merits of their relationship.“I'm glad we're neighbors,” Anna said that day. “We've only known each other a week, and yet I already feel like we've been friends for years.”“I feel the same way,” Jake had said.“Best of all,” she added in a moment burned into his memory, “Is we don't have a trace of romantic tension between us. We're free to just be friends without all that bullshit.”Jake let her comment pass without challenge. What else could he do? But it was a blow. All his romantic and erotic fantasies about her fizzled, impossible to sustain if she didn't feel the same. At least he did genuinely like her, mostly.The “mostly” came down to her presumptuousness. She saw that, obviously, it made sense for them to share Jake's kitchen. Obviously, it made sense for her to set up her electronics workbench in Jake's apartment, and hadn't even asked him. He didn't complain because he liked their dinner arrangement and liked seeing her build crazy electronics. She wasn't wrong in her actions; he just wished she'd ask first.Watching movies, playing video games, and discussing politics solidified their friendship. Jake was eventually able to suppress most of his unwelcome feelings about Anna. He tried his best to think of her as just a friend. A pal.Which made this request so upsetting. He was dismayed to find that his efforts over the past year had only hidden the shameful ember of carnal desire in his heart. Her words now rekindled it into a bright flame, unthinking and ravenous. He refused to let it burn this person he cared about.“Anna, wait.” Jake was surprised to hear the words coming out of his mouth. Concern returned to her face. “Are you sure about this? It's not that I don't want to see, you.”“Then why don't you shut up and let me show you?” Anna asked, laughing nervously.“Believe me, I'm wondering myself. I just, we've been neighbors for almost a year now, and I like to think we've become friends. However, I never got the sense you saw me as more than a friend, so this whole ‘I want you to see me naked' thing is a bit of a surprise. Not an unwelcome surprise, but, well, can you please spell it out for this dummy?”Anna looked down and sighed. “You're right, I owe you an explanation. Please, please be patient with me. This isn't easy.”“Deal,” Jake said in agreement. He leaned back on the couch and crossed his arms and legs in an exaggerated manner. “I'm extremely patient.”Anna took a deep breath. “When I was eighteen I had my first serious boyfriend, Andrew. We were making out, and I let him take my shirt and bra off. It was a mistake. He was a mistake. I don't know what I saw in him. The thing is, I have inverted nipples.” Anna turn away from Jake and began to shyly fidget. “He freaked out when he saw them. He didn't want to touch them anymore, didn't want to touch me. Looking back, I think he was just a nervous kid frightened by something he didn't understand. Still, it really hurt.”“Fucking hell, Andrew. What a massive asshole,” Jake said.Anna's face showed relief at his reaction. “Yes,” she agreed, “especially when he told his friends and started calling me ‘NN anna' for ‘No Nipple Anna.'”“No way!” Jake said. “What the fuck?”“High school can be rough, right? It's not even accurate. I have nipples, they just go in instead of out. I think the whole school eventually heard. Plenty of people 'accidentally' called me Nnanna, even a teacher once. I was devastated at the time, but I've tried to forget about him, about his reaction, about the taunting. I've dated a few guys over the years, though I've always ended it before things got, intimate. I've come to realize, on some level, I'm still ashamed of my body. I'm still afraid of a repeat of Andrew's reaction.”“That is some bullshit. No person should be ashamed of their body.”“Yes,” Anna agreed. “Intellectually, I know that. I've been telling myself for years. My trouble is the difference between knowing in my head and really feeling it in my heart. That's what I'm hoping you can help me with.”“Got it,” Jake said. “You want to show me your breasts, so I can NOT freak out.”“Exactly! Which sounds silly when you say it out loud. I know this is a weird favor to ask, I just, I feel safe with you.” Doubt returned to her face. “It's totally okay if you'd rather not do this. I don't want to guilt you into this.”“Anna, it's okay. Thank you for explaining. I understand, I think.”“Oh, come on, it's not a big deal,” Anna said, trying to sound casual. “Right?”Jake shook his head. “I disagree,” he said. “A friend sharing something deeply personal and fraught with shame, trusting me. It's a big deal.”Anna gazed into Jake's eyes, her breasts dominating his thoughts as they rose and fell with her breaths. He wondered if he saw more than friendship flickering in her eyes, but then it vanished.“Thank you,” she said. “Now that we've reached an understanding and decided on a course of action, we have another problem: I don't see how I can work up the courage to actually, um, do it.” Her voice got very quiet at the end as she looked down and chewed her lip. “It just seems impossibly weird and awkward to undress in front of you.” She gave his arm a gentle shove like she did when they played video games.Jake thought for a second.“Well I'm certainly not going to pressure you. But if you're set on doing this, then I have a suggestion: What if we both pretend you're fully clothed? I'll set up the video game. When you're ready, you come in dressed however you want, and we'll both just pretend everything is normal. We can play Mario Kart like we planned, all very normal and unremarkable.” Jake couldn't help smirking a little bit at this last sentence.Anna's face brightened. “I like that idea. That might work.”Jake stood up. “Off you go, then,” he pointed at his bedroom. “I'll just set up the game and you can join me when you're ready.” He faced the TV and grabbed the remote. “I hope you are prepared to get trounced,” he added.Anna departed for his bedroom. Jake's heart raced, and his hands trembled a bit. He tried some deep slow breaths. They didn't help much. He visualized the bedroom door behind him and the woman he expected to emerge any second.Jake was ashamed to feel an erection start at just the thought of seeing Anna's breasts. His friend was trusting him to help her! He had to master himself and come through for her. He had to.He heard Anna take a quiet step into the open doorway behind him. He dared not turn around.On an impulse he pulled his own shirt off and tossed it. While he was very aware his own skinny chest was completely unremarkable, he hoped this would make her a bit more comfortable.Then he did something he knew she hated. “I hope you don't mind, I'm just going to start the race. I'm choosing your character, yes, Bowser on the biggest car so you can't do anything but go in a straight line…”Anna's hand snatched the controller out of his as she dropped beside him on the couch.“Don't you dare!” she said, laughing.Jake kept his eyes locked on the TV screen, trying to act casual while his mind reeled at the bare breasts just visible at the corner of his eye. She had done it!Part of him wanted to turn and stare directly at the first bare breasts he'd met in person. A bigger part of him was simply proud of his friend's courage. She'd identified a source of needless shame and took steps to overcome it. Jake wanted to make this a positive experience for her.That didn't mean he didn't take in as much as he could without looking directly. In addition to taking off her shirt and bra, she had taken out her ponytail. She parted her hair on either side of her head, and let it fall down her front. Through this inadequate screen of hair he thrilled at an impression of pale roundness, and maybe a hint of pink?It helped to have the game to concentrate on, though his playing was shit. Anna was never one to sit still and just push buttons on the controller. She moved her whole body with each turn of the race car. He kept his gaze glued to the TV even though her constant movement tickled the outskirts of his vision mercilessly.After several races, Jake started to feel close to normal. His game-play was back up to the level of “respectable.” His erection calmed down. He still hadn't gotten a look at Anna's bare breasts sitting right next to him, but he also no longer had to struggle to keep his eyes locked forward. He felt relaxed and happy, having fun with his friend. More than happy, he felt buoyant. It was as if Anna's bare chest was a beacon radiating warmth, bathing his heart in contentment. Just knowing that she trusted him with this made him feel closer to her.When Anna won the next race, Jake decided to check on her. He put the controller down, tilted his head far back on the couch to make it clear he could only see the ceiling, and leaned in her direction with one hand to his mouth in a conspiratorial gesture. Whispering, he said, “How are you doing?”Anna mirrored his pose and whispered in response. “Really good, actually. How are you doing?”“Really good, too,” Jake said, afraid to reveal how much more than just 'good' he felt.Anna nodded slightly and then she sat up and resumed talking in a normal voice. “I'm going to get us glasses of water.” And with that she stood up and walked to the kitchen.Jake took in the sight of her bare back as she walked away from him. She was beautiful. He longed to touch her and hated himself for it. Momentarily, she would be walking back toward him, and he had to keep his eyes on the TV. He had to.She returned from the kitchen with two glasses of water. Instead of sitting she stood directly in front of him, blocking the TV, and held one out. Jake's efforts at gaze discipline went out the window as he was forced to look up at the glass, which she held at the exact elevation to be in line between his eyeballs and her breasts. Jake did his best to keep his eyes moving up to her face where he looked her in the eyes and said a hoarse “thank you” as he took the glass.Anna tilted her head far back to take drink. With her eyes toward the ceiling, Jake understood she was giving him permission to look.Jake's eyes widened as he took in the sight, and his composure left him. The rest of the room faded out of existence as his brain took in every detail.The slightly tan color of Anna's face and arms was thanks to the sun, for her bare shoulders and upper chest were paler. Her breasts were paler still and revealed a faint tracery of blue veins around her shapely contours. Her hair covered the promised inverted nipples, though he could see the edges of puffy pink areolas.On the one hand, this was just another part of his friend's body. His friend Anna happened to be a woman, women have breasts, and these were simply Anna's breasts. Up close like this, Jake could see the subtle details on her skin. The fine hairs, sprinkling of moles, and minor asymmetries stressed the reality of what he beheld, in contrast to the airbrushed breasts in porn. Intellectually, Jake knew in the big picture all breasts, all bodies, were ultimately unremarkable.On the other hand, Jake couldn't help feeling these particular breasts were magical beacons of beauty, acceptance, trust, and intimacy. Anna's breasts emanated waves of warmth that bathed his heart in joy and evoked feelings of affection and protectiveness. It pained him to think of all those years of being ashamed of her body, avoiding physical intimacy for fear of rejection.After an eternity of taking in this sight, Anna sat on the couch again. He fastened his eyes on the TV and tried to regain his composure.Jake felt a flash of pain on his arm as Anna playfully hit him with the back of her hand. “Come on, slowpoke, press 'A' so we can start the next race. I'm enjoying destroying you.”“Oops,” Jake said, resuming the game. And then, feeling daring, he added: “I don't know where my mind was.”It was hard to tell without turning his head, but he thought he saw her smile.They played a few more races until it was their usual bedtime for a work night.Anna stood up. “Well, we both have work tomorrow. Better call it a night.” She walked into Jake's bedroom and then returned dressed normally. The light in the room felt weaker without the shining warmth of her bare breasts. He fought to hide his disappointment.“G'night,” she said, walking to the door.Jake leaped up to meet her at the door. “Thanks for the fun evening,” he said. Then, his face reddening, “I mean the Mario Kart.”Anna laughed, her face blushing too. “Thank YOU!” Then, hesitating, “for everything.”When the door closed behind her, Jake's apartment felt cold, lonely, and dark.The next day at work, Jake had trouble getting anything done with visions of Anna's breasts dancing in his head. He missed the feeling of being with her when she was topless. But on his way home, a new worry arose: How awkward would it be when he saw her again tonight? There was no going back to how things had been before.Opening the door to his apartment, he heard Anna working in the kitchen.“Hey,” Jake called out.“Hey yourself,” Anna answered from the kitchen.Jake relaxed when he saw she was wearing a shirt, though not without a pang of disappointment. What had he expected? Idiot. Anna cut vegetables, wearing the circuit-board-print apron she liked.“Get the waters, I'm almost finished.”Jake tried to act normal but couldn't stop thinking about her breasts as he set the coffee table in front of the TV. Anna put down plates of chicken salad and sat beside him on the couch.Normally, at this point they would watch something on TV while they ate. The remote control was on the arm of the couch next to Anna, ignored.“How was work?” Anna asked.“Oh fine, pretty normal,” Jake lied. “You?”“Actually,” Anna said, “I had trouble focusing at work today.” She paused there, as if giving Jake an opportunity to say more.“To be honest,” Jake admitted, turning to look her in the eye, “I had the same problem.”“Was there something on your mind?” Anna asked.“Technically two things were on my mind,” Jake said.Anna burst out laughing. Relieved, Jake laughed too.“I want to thank you,” Anna said, “for being so patient with me last night. And kind. I was close to running out of the room in tears. You helped me keep it together.” She took his hand. “That was very kind of you. I feel like a burden of shame was lifted. Thank you.”Jake blushed.“What I hadn't expected, though…” Anna looked down. “What I hadn't expected was how much I enjoyed it.”Anna slowly raised her eyes to meet Jake's. Panic came rushing back. Did she want to do it again? Did Jake want that? Confused thoughts swirled in his head. Did he want to kiss Anna? Yes, but she didn't want that. Did he feel romantic thoughts about her? Yes, but she didn't want that either. Did he want to see her breasts again, despite all his misgivings? Yes. Most definitely yes.“Did you…” Anna was studying his face. “Did you enjoy it, too?”“YES!” Jake blurted out, not exactly playing it cool.Anna smiled. “Do you, do you mind if we do it again?”“I would love that,” Jake answered.Anna hesitated. “It made me feel better when you took your shirt off first.”Jake nearly tore his shirt in his rush to pull it off. Anna's eyes on his chest made his skin feel warm.After a moment of staring, Anna started to unbutton her shirt. Feeling emboldened by Anna's unguarded staring at him, Jake watched her fingers work. The anticipation was intense, and he felt a reckless swelling between his legs.“Excuse me,” Anna said sternly, “my eyes are up here.”Jake blanched and tore his gaze up at the ceiling, his heart pounding in panic and his dick shrinking in shame. Incoherent apologies spilled out of his mouth as he tried to repair the damage his eager eyes had done.“Whoa, whoa, it's okay, I was just joking!” Anna said quickly. “I've never seen anyone go so pale. Are you okay? Jake, you didn't do anything wrong. The whole point is for you to look at me.” She grabbed his shoulders. “Jake, please, I'm sorry, I was only trying to be funny.” She gently pulled on the back of his head until it was tilted down at her chest again. “Your respectful instincts are part of why I trust you. It's okay. I want you to look.”He watched her shirt rise and fall with each breath, and eventually his breathing matched hers. Anna released his head and resumed unbuttoning. She wasn't wearing a bra. After t

How long can naked friends resist becoming lovers?By darrenr. Listen to the ► Podcast at Steamy Stories.“Breasts, yes. I want to show you my breasts,” Anna said, making a simple request that complicated everything.Jake instinctively glanced down at her chest, before wrenching his gaze back to her face. His mind raced in useless circles around a single thought: Danger!“But you have to promise to tell me if that would make you uncomfortable,” Anna said. “I can only ask you this favor because our friendship is both close and solidly non-romantic. I completely understand if my request is just too flippin' weird!”Jake had never been less comfortable in his life. This felt like a bad idea.He wanted it anyway.Feeling ashamed of himself, Jake forced himself to think. Anna wouldn't ask unless it was important to her. He didn't want to hurt her feelings, so he tried a joke. “Compared to eating the terrible chicken dinner you made last night, this sounds like a walk in the park.”Anna erupted in giggling. She was clearly nervous, but it was comforting to hear her infectious laugh. That, at least, felt normal.They met about a year ago, neighbors moving in on the same day. She had a kind face. If she wore makeup, it wasn't enough to notice. She was an inch taller, had brown eyes and long blonde hair–brilliantly shining blonde–always in a ponytail. Her face seemed to have only two states: stern concentration or an easy smile. She had a solid aspect to her figure but wasn't fat. Her tight jeans revealed strong legs and a substantial bottom that her height proportioned nicely. A baggy flannel shirt hid any details about her breasts.Although Jake tended to be shy, an endless conversation began during their second shared elevator trip. Her name was Aine, but she went by Anna. She liked hiking and tinkering with electronics. They both just moved into town and it was their first time living on their own. Anna did some kind of computer engineering work that sounded much cooler than the business analysis work he did. They both used Excel spreadsheets extensively for work and shared many of the same frustrations with its quirks. They liked a lot of the same video games and movies and had plenty to talk about.That first night they shared take-out at Jake's place, which was the start of Anna's habit of visiting constantly. Jake insisted on paying. To repay him, the next night Anna made dinner in his kitchen. Jake then reciprocated the following night. Neither of them was a very good cook, but it worked out. They ate dinner together nearly every day, alternating cooking and cleanup. Anna declared it was more efficient to share food between two people. She also decided Jake's pot, pan, and dish situation was better than hers, so they used his kitchen. Jake gave her the spare key to his apartment and she came and went as she pleased. He started to develop real feelings for her. This stopped when, after a week hanging out together, Anna mused on the merits of their relationship.“I'm glad we're neighbors,” Anna said that day. “We've only known each other a week, and yet I already feel like we've been friends for years.”“I feel the same way,” Jake had said.“Best of all,” she added in a moment burned into his memory, “Is we don't have a trace of romantic tension between us. We're free to just be friends without all that bullshit.”Jake let her comment pass without challenge. What else could he do? But it was a blow. All his romantic and erotic fantasies about her fizzled, impossible to sustain if she didn't feel the same. At least he did genuinely like her, mostly.The “mostly” came down to her presumptuousness. She saw that, obviously, it made sense for them to share Jake's kitchen. Obviously, it made sense for her to set up her electronics workbench in Jake's apartment, and hadn't even asked him. He didn't complain because he liked their dinner arrangement and liked seeing her build crazy electronics. She wasn't wrong in her actions; he just wished she'd ask first.Watching movies, playing video games, and discussing politics solidified their friendship. Jake was eventually able to suppress most of his unwelcome feelings about Anna. He tried his best to think of her as just a friend. A pal.Which made this request so upsetting. He was dismayed to find that his efforts over the past year had only hidden the shameful ember of carnal desire in his heart. Her words now rekindled it into a bright flame, unthinking and ravenous. He refused to let it burn this person he cared about.“Anna, wait.” Jake was surprised to hear the words coming out of his mouth. Concern returned to her face. “Are you sure about this? It's not that I don't want to see, you.”“Then why don't you shut up and let me show you?” Anna asked, laughing nervously.“Believe me, I'm wondering myself. I just, we've been neighbors for almost a year now, and I like to think we've become friends. However, I never got the sense you saw me as more than a friend, so this whole ‘I want you to see me naked' thing is a bit of a surprise. Not an unwelcome surprise, but, well, can you please spell it out for this dummy?”Anna looked down and sighed. “You're right, I owe you an explanation. Please, please be patient with me. This isn't easy.”“Deal,” Jake said in agreement. He leaned back on the couch and crossed his arms and legs in an exaggerated manner. “I'm extremely patient.”Anna took a deep breath. “When I was eighteen I had my first serious boyfriend, Andrew. We were making out, and I let him take my shirt and bra off. It was a mistake. He was a mistake. I don't know what I saw in him. The thing is, I have inverted nipples.” Anna turn away from Jake and began to shyly fidget. “He freaked out when he saw them. He didn't want to touch them anymore, didn't want to touch me. Looking back, I think he was just a nervous kid frightened by something he didn't understand. Still, it really hurt.”“Fucking hell, Andrew. What a massive asshole,” Jake said.Anna's face showed relief at his reaction. “Yes,” she agreed, “especially when he told his friends and started calling me ‘NN anna' for ‘No Nipple Anna.'”“No way!” Jake said. “What the fuck?”“High school can be rough, right? It's not even accurate. I have nipples, they just go in instead of out. I think the whole school eventually heard. Plenty of people 'accidentally' called me Nnanna, even a teacher once. I was devastated at the time, but I've tried to forget about him, about his reaction, about the taunting. I've dated a few guys over the years, though I've always ended it before things got, intimate. I've come to realize, on some level, I'm still ashamed of my body. I'm still afraid of a repeat of Andrew's reaction.”“That is some bullshit. No person should be ashamed of their body.”“Yes,” Anna agreed. “Intellectually, I know that. I've been telling myself for years. My trouble is the difference between knowing in my head and really feeling it in my heart. That's what I'm hoping you can help me with.”“Got it,” Jake said. “You want to show me your breasts, so I can NOT freak out.”“Exactly! Which sounds silly when you say it out loud. I know this is a weird favor to ask, I just, I feel safe with you.” Doubt returned to her face. “It's totally okay if you'd rather not do this. I don't want to guilt you into this.”“Anna, it's okay. Thank you for explaining. I understand, I think.”“Oh, come on, it's not a big deal,” Anna said, trying to sound casual. “Right?”Jake shook his head. “I disagree,” he said. “A friend sharing something deeply personal and fraught with shame, trusting me. It's a big deal.”Anna gazed into Jake's eyes, her breasts dominating his thoughts as they rose and fell with her breaths. He wondered if he saw more than friendship flickering in her eyes, but then it vanished.“Thank you,” she said. “Now that we've reached an understanding and decided on a course of action, we have another problem: I don't see how I can work up the courage to actually, um, do it.” Her voice got very quiet at the end as she looked down and chewed her lip. “It just seems impossibly weird and awkward to undress in front of you.” She gave his arm a gentle shove like she did when they played video games.Jake thought for a second.“Well I'm certainly not going to pressure you. But if you're set on doing this, then I have a suggestion: What if we both pretend you're fully clothed? I'll set up the video game. When you're ready, you come in dressed however you want, and we'll both just pretend everything is normal. We can play Mario Kart like we planned, all very normal and unremarkable.” Jake couldn't help smirking a little bit at this last sentence.Anna's face brightened. “I like that idea. That might work.”Jake stood up. “Off you go, then,” he pointed at his bedroom. “I'll just set up the game and you can join me when you're ready.” He faced the TV and grabbed the remote. “I hope you are prepared to get trounced,” he added.Anna departed for his bedroom. Jake's heart raced, and his hands trembled a bit. He tried some deep slow breaths. They didn't help much. He visualized the bedroom door behind him and the woman he expected to emerge any second.Jake was ashamed to feel an erection start at just the thought of seeing Anna's breasts. His friend was trusting him to help her! He had to master himself and come through for her. He had to.He heard Anna take a quiet step into the open doorway behind him. He dared not turn around.On an impulse he pulled his own shirt off and tossed it. While he was very aware his own skinny chest was completely unremarkable, he hoped this would make her a bit more comfortable.Then he did something he knew she hated. “I hope you don't mind, I'm just going to start the race. I'm choosing your character, yes, Bowser on the biggest car so you can't do anything but go in a straight line…”Anna's hand snatched the controller out of his as she dropped beside him on the couch.“Don't you dare!” she said, laughing.Jake kept his eyes locked on the TV screen, trying to act casual while his mind reeled at the bare breasts just visible at the corner of his eye. She had done it!Part of him wanted to turn and stare directly at the first bare breasts he'd met in person. A bigger part of him was simply proud of his friend's courage. She'd identified a source of needless shame and took steps to overcome it. Jake wanted to make this a positive experience for her.That didn't mean he didn't take in as much as he could without looking directly. In addition to taking off her shirt and bra, she had taken out her ponytail. She parted her hair on either side of her head, and let it fall down her front. Through this inadequate screen of hair he thrilled at an impression of pale roundness, and maybe a hint of pink?It helped to have the game to concentrate on, though his playing was shit. Anna was never one to sit still and just push buttons on the controller. She moved her whole body with each turn of the race car. He kept his gaze glued to the TV even though her constant movement tickled the outskirts of his vision mercilessly.After several races, Jake started to feel close to normal. His game-play was back up to the level of “respectable.” His erection calmed down. He still hadn't gotten a look at Anna's bare breasts sitting right next to him, but he also no longer had to struggle to keep his eyes locked forward. He felt relaxed and happy, having fun with his friend. More than happy, he felt buoyant. It was as if Anna's bare chest was a beacon radiating warmth, bathing his heart in contentment. Just knowing that she trusted him with this made him feel closer to her.When Anna won the next race, Jake decided to check on her. He put the controller down, tilted his head far back on the couch to make it clear he could only see the ceiling, and leaned in her direction with one hand to his mouth in a conspiratorial gesture. Whispering, he said, “How are you doing?”Anna mirrored his pose and whispered in response. “Really good, actually. How are you doing?”“Really good, too,” Jake said, afraid to reveal how much more than just 'good' he felt.Anna nodded slightly and then she sat up and resumed talking in a normal voice. “I'm going to get us glasses of water.” And with that she stood up and walked to the kitchen.Jake took in the sight of her bare back as she walked away from him. She was beautiful. He longed to touch her and hated himself for it. Momentarily, she would be walking back toward him, and he had to keep his eyes on the TV. He had to.She returned from the kitchen with two glasses of water. Instead of sitting she stood directly in front of him, blocking the TV, and held one out. Jake's efforts at gaze discipline went out the window as he was forced to look up at the glass, which she held at the exact elevation to be in line between his eyeballs and her breasts. Jake did his best to keep his eyes moving up to her face where he looked her in the eyes and said a hoarse “thank you” as he took the glass.Anna tilted her head far back to take drink. With her eyes toward the ceiling, Jake understood she was giving him permission to look.Jake's eyes widened as he took in the sight, and his composure left him. The rest of the room faded out of existence as his brain took in every detail.The slightly tan color of Anna's face and arms was thanks to the sun, for her bare shoulders and upper chest were paler. Her breasts were paler still and revealed a faint tracery of blue veins around her shapely contours. Her hair covered the promised inverted nipples, though he could see the edges of puffy pink areolas.On the one hand, this was just another part of his friend's body. His friend Anna happened to be a woman, women have breasts, and these were simply Anna's breasts. Up close like this, Jake could see the subtle details on her skin. The fine hairs, sprinkling of moles, and minor asymmetries stressed the reality of what he beheld, in contrast to the airbrushed breasts in porn. Intellectually, Jake knew in the big picture all breasts, all bodies, were ultimately unremarkable.On the other hand, Jake couldn't help feeling these particular breasts were magical beacons of beauty, acceptance, trust, and intimacy. Anna's breasts emanated waves of warmth that bathed his heart in joy and evoked feelings of affection and protectiveness. It pained him to think of all those years of being ashamed of her body, avoiding physical intimacy for fear of rejection.After an eternity of taking in this sight, Anna sat on the couch again. He fastened his eyes on the TV and tried to regain his composure.Jake felt a flash of pain on his arm as Anna playfully hit him with the back of her hand. “Come on, slowpoke, press 'A' so we can start the next race. I'm enjoying destroying you.”“Oops,” Jake said, resuming the game. And then, feeling daring, he added: “I don't know where my mind was.”It was hard to tell without turning his head, but he thought he saw her smile.They played a few more races until it was their usual bedtime for a work night.Anna stood up. “Well, we both have work tomorrow. Better call it a night.” She walked into Jake's bedroom and then returned dressed normally. The light in the room felt weaker without the shining warmth of her bare breasts. He fought to hide his disappointment.“G'night,” she said, walking to the door.Jake leaped up to meet her at the door. “Thanks for the fun evening,” he said. Then, his face reddening, “I mean the Mario Kart.”Anna laughed, her face blushing too. “Thank YOU!” Then, hesitating, “for everything.”When the door closed behind her, Jake's apartment felt cold, lonely, and dark.The next day at work, Jake had trouble getting anything done with visions of Anna's breasts dancing in his head. He missed the feeling of being with her when she was topless. But on his way home, a new worry arose: How awkward would it be when he saw her again tonight? There was no going back to how things had been before.Opening the door to his apartment, he heard Anna working in the kitchen.“Hey,” Jake called out.“Hey yourself,” Anna answered from the kitchen.Jake relaxed when he saw she was wearing a shirt, though not without a pang of disappointment. What had he expected? Idiot. Anna cut vegetables, wearing the circuit-board-print apron she liked.“Get the waters, I'm almost finished.”Jake tried to act normal but couldn't stop thinking about her breasts as he set the coffee table in front of the TV. Anna put down plates of chicken salad and sat beside him on the couch.Normally, at this point they would watch something on TV while they ate. The remote control was on the arm of the couch next to Anna, ignored.“How was work?” Anna asked.“Oh fine, pretty normal,” Jake lied. “You?”“Actually,” Anna said, “I had trouble focusing at work today.” She paused there, as if giving Jake an opportunity to say more.“To be honest,” Jake admitted, turning to look her in the eye, “I had the same problem.”“Was there something on your mind?” Anna asked.“Technically two things were on my mind,” Jake said.Anna burst out laughing. Relieved, Jake laughed too.“I want to thank you,” Anna said, “for being so patient with me last night. And kind. I was close to running out of the room in tears. You helped me keep it together.” She took his hand. “That was very kind of you. I feel like a burden of shame was lifted. Thank you.”Jake blushed.“What I hadn't expected, though…” Anna looked down. “What I hadn't expected was how much I enjoyed it.”Anna slowly raised her eyes to meet Jake's. Panic came rushing back. Did she want to do it again? Did Jake want that? Confused thoughts swirled in his head. Did he want to kiss Anna? Yes, but she didn't want that. Did he feel romantic thoughts about her? Yes, but she didn't want that either. Did he want to see her breasts again, despite all his misgivings? Yes. Most definitely yes.“Did you…” Anna was studying his face. “Did you enjoy it, too?”“YES!” Jake blurted out, not exactly playing it cool.Anna smiled. “Do you, do you mind if we do it again?”“I would love that,” Jake answered.Anna hesitated. “It made me feel better when you took your shirt off first.”Jake nearly tore his shirt in his rush to pull it off. Anna's eyes on his chest made his skin feel warm.After a moment of staring, Anna started to unbutton her shirt. Feeling emboldened by Anna's unguarded staring at him, Jake watched her fingers work. The anticipation was intense, and he felt a reckless swelling between his legs.“Excuse me,” Anna said sternly, “my eyes are up here.”Jake blanched and tore his gaze up at the ceiling, his heart pounding in panic and his dick shrinking in shame. Incoherent apologies spilled out of his mouth as he tried to repair the damage his eager eyes had done.“Whoa, whoa, it's okay, I was just joking!” Anna said quickly. “I've never seen anyone go so pale. Are you okay? Jake, you didn't do anything wrong. The whole point is for you to look at me.” She grabbed his shoulders. “Jake, please, I'm sorry, I was only trying to be funny.” She gently pulled on the back of his head until it was tilted down at her chest again. “Your respectful instincts are part of why I trust you. It's okay. I want you to look.”He watched her shirt rise and fall with each breath, and eventually his breathing matched hers. Anna released his head and resumed unbuttoning. She wasn't wearing a bra. After t

How long can naked friends resist becoming lovers?By darrenr. Listen to the ► Podcast at Steamy Stories.“Breasts, yes. I want to show you my breasts,” Anna said, making a simple request that complicated everything.Jake instinctively glanced down at her chest, before wrenching his gaze back to her face. His mind raced in useless circles around a single thought: Danger!“But you have to promise to tell me if that would make you uncomfortable,” Anna said. “I can only ask you this favor because our friendship is both close and solidly non-romantic. I completely understand if my request is just too flippin' weird!”Jake had never been less comfortable in his life. This felt like a bad idea.He wanted it anyway.Feeling ashamed of himself, Jake forced himself to think. Anna wouldn't ask unless it was important to her. He didn't want to hurt her feelings, so he tried a joke. “Compared to eating the terrible chicken dinner you made last night, this sounds like a walk in the park.”Anna erupted in giggling. She was clearly nervous, but it was comforting to hear her infectious laugh. That, at least, felt normal.They met about a year ago, neighbors moving in on the same day. She had a kind face. If she wore makeup, it wasn't enough to notice. She was an inch taller, had brown eyes and long blonde hair–brilliantly shining blonde–always in a ponytail. Her face seemed to have only two states: stern concentration or an easy smile. She had a solid aspect to her figure but wasn't fat. Her tight jeans revealed strong legs and a substantial bottom that her height proportioned nicely. A baggy flannel shirt hid any details about her breasts.Although Jake tended to be shy, an endless conversation began during their second shared elevator trip. Her name was Aine, but she went by Anna. She liked hiking and tinkering with electronics. They both just moved into town and it was their first time living on their own. Anna did some kind of computer engineering work that sounded much cooler than the business analysis work he did. They both used Excel spreadsheets extensively for work and shared many of the same frustrations with its quirks. They liked a lot of the same video games and movies and had plenty to talk about.That first night they shared take-out at Jake's place, which was the start of Anna's habit of visiting constantly. Jake insisted on paying. To repay him, the next night Anna made dinner in his kitchen. Jake then reciprocated the following night. Neither of them was a very good cook, but it worked out. They ate dinner together nearly every day, alternating cooking and cleanup. Anna declared it was more efficient to share food between two people. She also decided Jake's pot, pan, and dish situation was better than hers, so they used his kitchen. Jake gave her the spare key to his apartment and she came and went as she pleased. He started to develop real feelings for her. This stopped when, after a week hanging out together, Anna mused on the merits of their relationship.“I'm glad we're neighbors,” Anna said that day. “We've only known each other a week, and yet I already feel like we've been friends for years.”“I feel the same way,” Jake had said.“Best of all,” she added in a moment burned into his memory, “Is we don't have a trace of romantic tension between us. We're free to just be friends without all that bullshit.”Jake let her comment pass without challenge. What else could he do? But it was a blow. All his romantic and erotic fantasies about her fizzled, impossible to sustain if she didn't feel the same. At least he did genuinely like her, mostly.The “mostly” came down to her presumptuousness. She saw that, obviously, it made sense for them to share Jake's kitchen. Obviously, it made sense for her to set up her electronics workbench in Jake's apartment, and hadn't even asked him. He didn't complain because he liked their dinner arrangement and liked seeing her build crazy electronics. She wasn't wrong in her actions; he just wished she'd ask first.Watching movies, playing video games, and discussing politics solidified their friendship. Jake was eventually able to suppress most of his unwelcome feelings about Anna. He tried his best to think of her as just a friend. A pal.Which made this request so upsetting. He was dismayed to find that his efforts over the past year had only hidden the shameful ember of carnal desire in his heart. Her words now rekindled it into a bright flame, unthinking and ravenous. He refused to let it burn this person he cared about.“Anna, wait.” Jake was surprised to hear the words coming out of his mouth. Concern returned to her face. “Are you sure about this? It's not that I don't want to see, you.”“Then why don't you shut up and let me show you?” Anna asked, laughing nervously.“Believe me, I'm wondering myself. I just, we've been neighbors for almost a year now, and I like to think we've become friends. However, I never got the sense you saw me as more than a friend, so this whole ‘I want you to see me naked' thing is a bit of a surprise. Not an unwelcome surprise, but, well, can you please spell it out for this dummy?”Anna looked down and sighed. “You're right, I owe you an explanation. Please, please be patient with me. This isn't easy.”“Deal,” Jake said in agreement. He leaned back on the couch and crossed his arms and legs in an exaggerated manner. “I'm extremely patient.”Anna took a deep breath. “When I was eighteen I had my first serious boyfriend, Andrew. We were making out, and I let him take my shirt and bra off. It was a mistake. He was a mistake. I don't know what I saw in him. The thing is, I have inverted nipples.” Anna turn away from Jake and began to shyly fidget. “He freaked out when he saw them. He didn't want to touch them anymore, didn't want to touch me. Looking back, I think he was just a nervous kid frightened by something he didn't understand. Still, it really hurt.”“Fucking hell, Andrew. What a massive asshole,” Jake said.Anna's face showed relief at his reaction. “Yes,” she agreed, “especially when he told his friends and started calling me ‘NN anna' for ‘No Nipple Anna.'”“No way!” Jake said. “What the fuck?”“High school can be rough, right? It's not even accurate. I have nipples, they just go in instead of out. I think the whole school eventually heard. Plenty of people 'accidentally' called me Nnanna, even a teacher once. I was devastated at the time, but I've tried to forget about him, about his reaction, about the taunting. I've dated a few guys over the years, though I've always ended it before things got, intimate. I've come to realize, on some level, I'm still ashamed of my body. I'm still afraid of a repeat of Andrew's reaction.”“That is some bullshit. No person should be ashamed of their body.”“Yes,” Anna agreed. “Intellectually, I know that. I've been telling myself for years. My trouble is the difference between knowing in my head and really feeling it in my heart. That's what I'm hoping you can help me with.”“Got it,” Jake said. “You want to show me your breasts, so I can NOT freak out.”“Exactly! Which sounds silly when you say it out loud. I know this is a weird favor to ask, I just, I feel safe with you.” Doubt returned to her face. “It's totally okay if you'd rather not do this. I don't want to guilt you into this.”“Anna, it's okay. Thank you for explaining. I understand, I think.”“Oh, come on, it's not a big deal,” Anna said, trying to sound casual. “Right?”Jake shook his head. “I disagree,” he said. “A friend sharing something deeply personal and fraught with shame, trusting me. It's a big deal.”Anna gazed into Jake's eyes, her breasts dominating his thoughts as they rose and fell with her breaths. He wondered if he saw more than friendship flickering in her eyes, but then it vanished.“Thank you,” she said. “Now that we've reached an understanding and decided on a course of action, we have another problem: I don't see how I can work up the courage to actually, um, do it.” Her voice got very quiet at the end as she looked down and chewed her lip. “It just seems impossibly weird and awkward to undress in front of you.” She gave his arm a gentle shove like she did when they played video games.Jake thought for a second.“Well I'm certainly not going to pressure you. But if you're set on doing this, then I have a suggestion: What if we both pretend you're fully clothed? I'll set up the video game. When you're ready, you come in dressed however you want, and we'll both just pretend everything is normal. We can play Mario Kart like we planned, all very normal and unremarkable.” Jake couldn't help smirking a little bit at this last sentence.Anna's face brightened. “I like that idea. That might work.”Jake stood up. “Off you go, then,” he pointed at his bedroom. “I'll just set up the game and you can join me when you're ready.” He faced the TV and grabbed the remote. “I hope you are prepared to get trounced,” he added.Anna departed for his bedroom. Jake's heart raced, and his hands trembled a bit. He tried some deep slow breaths. They didn't help much. He visualized the bedroom door behind him and the woman he expected to emerge any second.Jake was ashamed to feel an erection start at just the thought of seeing Anna's breasts. His friend was trusting him to help her! He had to master himself and come through for her. He had to.He heard Anna take a quiet step into the open doorway behind him. He dared not turn around.On an impulse he pulled his own shirt off and tossed it. While he was very aware his own skinny chest was completely unremarkable, he hoped this would make her a bit more comfortable.Then he did something he knew she hated. “I hope you don't mind, I'm just going to start the race. I'm choosing your character, yes, Bowser on the biggest car so you can't do anything but go in a straight line…”Anna's hand snatched the controller out of his as she dropped beside him on the couch.“Don't you dare!” she said, laughing.Jake kept his eyes locked on the TV screen, trying to act casual while his mind reeled at the bare breasts just visible at the corner of his eye. She had done it!Part of him wanted to turn and stare directly at the first bare breasts he'd met in person. A bigger part of him was simply proud of his friend's courage. She'd identified a source of needless shame and took steps to overcome it. Jake wanted to make this a positive experience for her.That didn't mean he didn't take in as much as he could without looking directly. In addition to taking off her shirt and bra, she had taken out her ponytail. She parted her hair on either side of her head, and let it fall down her front. Through this inadequate screen of hair he thrilled at an impression of pale roundness, and maybe a hint of pink?It helped to have the game to concentrate on, though his playing was shit. Anna was never one to sit still and just push buttons on the controller. She moved her whole body with each turn of the race car. He kept his gaze glued to the TV even though her constant movement tickled the outskirts of his vision mercilessly.After several races, Jake started to feel close to normal. His game-play was back up to the level of “respectable.” His erection calmed down. He still hadn't gotten a look at Anna's bare breasts sitting right next to him, but he also no longer had to struggle to keep his eyes locked forward. He felt relaxed and happy, having fun with his friend. More than happy, he felt buoyant. It was as if Anna's bare chest was a beacon radiating warmth, bathing his heart in contentment. Just knowing that she trusted him with this made him feel closer to her.When Anna won the next race, Jake decided to check on her. He put the controller down, tilted his head far back on the couch to make it clear he could only see the ceiling, and leaned in her direction with one hand to his mouth in a conspiratorial gesture. Whispering, he said, “How are you doing?”Anna mirrored his pose and whispered in response. “Really good, actually. How are you doing?”“Really good, too,” Jake said, afraid to reveal how much more than just 'good' he felt.Anna nodded slightly and then she sat up and resumed talking in a normal voice. “I'm going to get us glasses of water.” And with that she stood up and walked to the kitchen.Jake took in the sight of her bare back as she walked away from him. She was beautiful. He longed to touch her and hated himself for it. Momentarily, she would be walking back toward him, and he had to keep his eyes on the TV. He had to.She returned from the kitchen with two glasses of water. Instead of sitting she stood directly in front of him, blocking the TV, and held one out. Jake's efforts at gaze discipline went out the window as he was forced to look up at the glass, which she held at the exact elevation to be in line between his eyeballs and her breasts. Jake did his best to keep his eyes moving up to her face where he looked her in the eyes and said a hoarse “thank you” as he took the glass.Anna tilted her head far back to take drink. With her eyes toward the ceiling, Jake understood she was giving him permission to look.Jake's eyes widened as he took in the sight, and his composure left him. The rest of the room faded out of existence as his brain took in every detail.The slightly tan color of Anna's face and arms was thanks to the sun, for her bare shoulders and upper chest were paler. Her breasts were paler still and revealed a faint tracery of blue veins around her shapely contours. Her hair covered the promised inverted nipples, though he could see the edges of puffy pink areolas.On the one hand, this was just another part of his friend's body. His friend Anna happened to be a woman, women have breasts, and these were simply Anna's breasts. Up close like this, Jake could see the subtle details on her skin. The fine hairs, sprinkling of moles, and minor asymmetries stressed the reality of what he beheld, in contrast to the airbrushed breasts in porn. Intellectually, Jake knew in the big picture all breasts, all bodies, were ultimately unremarkable.On the other hand, Jake couldn't help feeling these particular breasts were magical beacons of beauty, acceptance, trust, and intimacy. Anna's breasts emanated waves of warmth that bathed his heart in joy and evoked feelings of affection and protectiveness. It pained him to think of all those years of being ashamed of her body, avoiding physical intimacy for fear of rejection.After an eternity of taking in this sight, Anna sat on the couch again. He fastened his eyes on the TV and tried to regain his composure.Jake felt a flash of pain on his arm as Anna playfully hit him with the back of her hand. “Come on, slowpoke, press 'A' so we can start the next race. I'm enjoying destroying you.”“Oops,” Jake said, resuming the game. And then, feeling daring, he added: “I don't know where my mind was.”It was hard to tell without turning his head, but he thought he saw her smile.They played a few more races until it was their usual bedtime for a work night.Anna stood up. “Well, we both have work tomorrow. Better call it a night.” She walked into Jake's bedroom and then returned dressed normally. The light in the room felt weaker without the shining warmth of her bare breasts. He fought to hide his disappointment.“G'night,” she said, walking to the door.Jake leaped up to meet her at the door. “Thanks for the fun evening,” he said. Then, his face reddening, “I mean the Mario Kart.”Anna laughed, her face blushing too. “Thank YOU!” Then, hesitating, “for everything.”When the door closed behind her, Jake's apartment felt cold, lonely, and dark.The next day at work, Jake had trouble getting anything done with visions of Anna's breasts dancing in his head. He missed the feeling of being with her when she was topless. But on his way home, a new worry arose: How awkward would it be when he saw her again tonight? There was no going back to how things had been before.Opening the door to his apartment, he heard Anna working in the kitchen.“Hey,” Jake called out.“Hey yourself,” Anna answered from the kitchen.Jake relaxed when he saw she was wearing a shirt, though not without a pang of disappointment. What had he expected? Idiot. Anna cut vegetables, wearing the circuit-board-print apron she liked.“Get the waters, I'm almost finished.”Jake tried to act normal but couldn't stop thinking about her breasts as he set the coffee table in front of the TV. Anna put down plates of chicken salad and sat beside him on the couch.Normally, at this point they would watch something on TV while they ate. The remote control was on the arm of the couch next to Anna, ignored.“How was work?” Anna asked.“Oh fine, pretty normal,” Jake lied. “You?”“Actually,” Anna said, “I had trouble focusing at work today.” She paused there, as if giving Jake an opportunity to say more.“To be honest,” Jake admitted, turning to look her in the eye, “I had the same problem.”“Was there something on your mind?” Anna asked.“Technically two things were on my mind,” Jake said.Anna burst out laughing. Relieved, Jake laughed too.“I want to thank you,” Anna said, “for being so patient with me last night. And kind. I was close to running out of the room in tears. You helped me keep it together.” She took his hand. “That was very kind of you. I feel like a burden of shame was lifted. Thank you.”Jake blushed.“What I hadn't expected, though…” Anna looked down. “What I hadn't expected was how much I enjoyed it.”Anna slowly raised her eyes to meet Jake's. Panic came rushing back. Did she want to do it again? Did Jake want that? Confused thoughts swirled in his head. Did he want to kiss Anna? Yes, but she didn't want that. Did he feel romantic thoughts about her? Yes, but she didn't want that either. Did he want to see her breasts again, despite all his misgivings? Yes. Most definitely yes.“Did you…” Anna was studying his face. “Did you enjoy it, too?”“YES!” Jake blurted out, not exactly playing it cool.Anna smiled. “Do you, do you mind if we do it again?”“I would love that,” Jake answered.Anna hesitated. “It made me feel better when you took your shirt off first.”Jake nearly tore his shirt in his rush to pull it off. Anna's eyes on his chest made his skin feel warm.After a moment of staring, Anna started to unbutton her shirt. Feeling emboldened by Anna's unguarded staring at him, Jake watched her fingers work. The anticipation was intense, and he felt a reckless swelling between his legs.“Excuse me,” Anna said sternly, “my eyes are up here.”Jake blanched and tore his gaze up at the ceiling, his heart pounding in panic and his dick shrinking in shame. Incoherent apologies spilled out of his mouth as he tried to repair the damage his eager eyes had done.“Whoa, whoa, it's okay, I was just joking!” Anna said quickly. “I've never seen anyone go so pale. Are you okay? Jake, you didn't do anything wrong. The whole point is for you to look at me.” She grabbed his shoulders. “Jake, please, I'm sorry, I was only trying to be funny.” She gently pulled on the back of his head until it was tilted down at her chest again. “Your respectful instincts are part of why I trust you. It's okay. I want you to look.”He watched her shirt rise and fall with each breath, and eventually his breathing matched hers. Anna released his head and resumed unbuttoning. She wasn't wearing a bra. After t

How long can naked friends resist becoming lovers?By darrenr. Listen to the ► Podcast at Steamy Stories.“Breasts, yes. I want to show you my breasts,” Anna said, making a simple request that complicated everything.Jake instinctively glanced down at her chest, before wrenching his gaze back to her face. His mind raced in useless circles around a single thought: Danger!“But you have to promise to tell me if that would make you uncomfortable,” Anna said. “I can only ask you this favor because our friendship is both close and solidly non-romantic. I completely understand if my request is just too flippin' weird!”Jake had never been less comfortable in his life. This felt like a bad idea.He wanted it anyway.Feeling ashamed of himself, Jake forced himself to think. Anna wouldn't ask unless it was important to her. He didn't want to hurt her feelings, so he tried a joke. “Compared to eating the terrible chicken dinner you made last night, this sounds like a walk in the park.”Anna erupted in giggling. She was clearly nervous, but it was comforting to hear her infectious laugh. That, at least, felt normal.They met about a year ago, neighbors moving in on the same day. She had a kind face. If she wore makeup, it wasn't enough to notice. She was an inch taller, had brown eyes and long blonde hair–brilliantly shining blonde–always in a ponytail. Her face seemed to have only two states: stern concentration or an easy smile. She had a solid aspect to her figure but wasn't fat. Her tight jeans revealed strong legs and a substantial bottom that her height proportioned nicely. A baggy flannel shirt hid any details about her breasts.Although Jake tended to be shy, an endless conversation began during their second shared elevator trip. Her name was Aine, but she went by Anna. She liked hiking and tinkering with electronics. They both just moved into town and it was their first time living on their own. Anna did some kind of computer engineering work that sounded much cooler than the business analysis work he did. They both used Excel spreadsheets extensively for work and shared many of the same frustrations with its quirks. They liked a lot of the same video games and movies and had plenty to talk about.That first night they shared take-out at Jake's place, which was the start of Anna's habit of visiting constantly. Jake insisted on paying. To repay him, the next night Anna made dinner in his kitchen. Jake then reciprocated the following night. Neither of them was a very good cook, but it worked out. They ate dinner together nearly every day, alternating cooking and cleanup. Anna declared it was more efficient to share food between two people. She also decided Jake's pot, pan, and dish situation was better than hers, so they used his kitchen. Jake gave her the spare key to his apartment and she came and went as she pleased. He started to develop real feelings for her. This stopped when, after a week hanging out together, Anna mused on the merits of their relationship.“I'm glad we're neighbors,” Anna said that day. “We've only known each other a week, and yet I already feel like we've been friends for years.”“I feel the same way,” Jake had said.“Best of all,” she added in a moment burned into his memory, “Is we don't have a trace of romantic tension between us. We're free to just be friends without all that bullshit.”Jake let her comment pass without challenge. What else could he do? But it was a blow. All his romantic and erotic fantasies about her fizzled, impossible to sustain if she didn't feel the same. At least he did genuinely like her, mostly.The “mostly” came down to her presumptuousness. She saw that, obviously, it made sense for them to share Jake's kitchen. Obviously, it made sense for her to set up her electronics workbench in Jake's apartment, and hadn't even asked him. He didn't complain because he liked their dinner arrangement and liked seeing her build crazy electronics. She wasn't wrong in her actions; he just wished she'd ask first.Watching movies, playing video games, and discussing politics solidified their friendship. Jake was eventually able to suppress most of his unwelcome feelings about Anna. He tried his best to think of her as just a friend. A pal.Which made this request so upsetting. He was dismayed to find that his efforts over the past year had only hidden the shameful ember of carnal desire in his heart. Her words now rekindled it into a bright flame, unthinking and ravenous. He refused to let it burn this person he cared about.“Anna, wait.” Jake was surprised to hear the words coming out of his mouth. Concern returned to her face. “Are you sure about this? It's not that I don't want to see, you.”“Then why don't you shut up and let me show you?” Anna asked, laughing nervously.“Believe me, I'm wondering myself. I just, we've been neighbors for almost a year now, and I like to think we've become friends. However, I never got the sense you saw me as more than a friend, so this whole ‘I want you to see me naked' thing is a bit of a surprise. Not an unwelcome surprise, but, well, can you please spell it out for this dummy?”Anna looked down and sighed. “You're right, I owe you an explanation. Please, please be patient with me. This isn't easy.”“Deal,” Jake said in agreement. He leaned back on the couch and crossed his arms and legs in an exaggerated manner. “I'm extremely patient.”Anna took a deep breath. “When I was eighteen I had my first serious boyfriend, Andrew. We were making out, and I let him take my shirt and bra off. It was a mistake. He was a mistake. I don't know what I saw in him. The thing is, I have inverted nipples.” Anna turn away from Jake and began to shyly fidget. “He freaked out when he saw them. He didn't want to touch them anymore, didn't want to touch me. Looking back, I think he was just a nervous kid frightened by something he didn't understand. Still, it really hurt.”“Fucking hell, Andrew. What a massive asshole,” Jake said.Anna's face showed relief at his reaction. “Yes,” she agreed, “especially when he told his friends and started calling me ‘NN anna' for ‘No Nipple Anna.'”“No way!” Jake said. “What the fuck?”“High school can be rough, right? It's not even accurate. I have nipples, they just go in instead of out. I think the whole school eventually heard. Plenty of people 'accidentally' called me Nnanna, even a teacher once. I was devastated at the time, but I've tried to forget about him, about his reaction, about the taunting. I've dated a few guys over the years, though I've always ended it before things got, intimate. I've come to realize, on some level, I'm still ashamed of my body. I'm still afraid of a repeat of Andrew's reaction.”“That is some bullshit. No person should be ashamed of their body.”“Yes,” Anna agreed. “Intellectually, I know that. I've been telling myself for years. My trouble is the difference between knowing in my head and really feeling it in my heart. That's what I'm hoping you can help me with.”“Got it,” Jake said. “You want to show me your breasts, so I can NOT freak out.”“Exactly! Which sounds silly when you say it out loud. I know this is a weird favor to ask, I just, I feel safe with you.” Doubt returned to her face. “It's totally okay if you'd rather not do this. I don't want to guilt you into this.”“Anna, it's okay. Thank you for explaining. I understand, I think.”“Oh, come on, it's not a big deal,” Anna said, trying to sound casual. “Right?”Jake shook his head. “I disagree,” he said. “A friend sharing something deeply personal and fraught with shame, trusting me. It's a big deal.”Anna gazed into Jake's eyes, her breasts dominating his thoughts as they rose and fell with her breaths. He wondered if he saw more than friendship flickering in her eyes, but then it vanished.“Thank you,” she said. “Now that we've reached an understanding and decided on a course of action, we have another problem: I don't see how I can work up the courage to actually, um, do it.” Her voice got very quiet at the end as she looked down and chewed her lip. “It just seems impossibly weird and awkward to undress in front of you.” She gave his arm a gentle shove like she did when they played video games.Jake thought for a second.“Well I'm certainly not going to pressure you. But if you're set on doing this, then I have a suggestion: What if we both pretend you're fully clothed? I'll set up the video game. When you're ready, you come in dressed however you want, and we'll both just pretend everything is normal. We can play Mario Kart like we planned, all very normal and unremarkable.” Jake couldn't help smirking a little bit at this last sentence.Anna's face brightened. “I like that idea. That might work.”Jake stood up. “Off you go, then,” he pointed at his bedroom. “I'll just set up the game and you can join me when you're ready.” He faced the TV and grabbed the remote. “I hope you are prepared to get trounced,” he added.Anna departed for his bedroom. Jake's heart raced, and his hands trembled a bit. He tried some deep slow breaths. They didn't help much. He visualized the bedroom door behind him and the woman he expected to emerge any second.Jake was ashamed to feel an erection start at just the thought of seeing Anna's breasts. His friend was trusting him to help her! He had to master himself and come through for her. He had to.He heard Anna take a quiet step into the open doorway behind him. He dared not turn around.On an impulse he pulled his own shirt off and tossed it. While he was very aware his own skinny chest was completely unremarkable, he hoped this would make her a bit more comfortable.Then he did something he knew she hated. “I hope you don't mind, I'm just going to start the race. I'm choosing your character, yes, Bowser on the biggest car so you can't do anything but go in a straight line…”Anna's hand snatched the controller out of his as she dropped beside him on the couch.“Don't you dare!” she said, laughing.Jake kept his eyes locked on the TV screen, trying to act casual while his mind reeled at the bare breasts just visible at the corner of his eye. She had done it!Part of him wanted to turn and stare directly at the first bare breasts he'd met in person. A bigger part of him was simply proud of his friend's courage. She'd identified a source of needless shame and took steps to overcome it. Jake wanted to make this a positive experience for her.That didn't mean he didn't take in as much as he could without looking directly. In addition to taking off her shirt and bra, she had taken out her ponytail. She parted her hair on either side of her head, and let it fall down her front. Through this inadequate screen of hair he thrilled at an impression of pale roundness, and maybe a hint of pink?It helped to have the game to concentrate on, though his playing was shit. Anna was never one to sit still and just push buttons on the controller. She moved her whole body with each turn of the race car. He kept his gaze glued to the TV even though her constant movement tickled the outskirts of his vision mercilessly.After several races, Jake started to feel close to normal. His game-play was back up to the level of “respectable.” His erection calmed down. He still hadn't gotten a look at Anna's bare breasts sitting right next to him, but he also no longer had to struggle to keep his eyes locked forward. He felt relaxed and happy, having fun with his friend. More than happy, he felt buoyant. It was as if Anna's bare chest was a beacon radiating warmth, bathing his heart in contentment. Just knowing that she trusted him with this made him feel closer to her.When Anna won the next race, Jake decided to check on her. He put the controller down, tilted his head far back on the couch to make it clear he could only see the ceiling, and leaned in her direction with one hand to his mouth in a conspiratorial gesture. Whispering, he said, “How are you doing?”Anna mirrored his pose and whispered in response. “Really good, actually. How are you doing?”“Really good, too,” Jake said, afraid to reveal how much more than just 'good' he felt.Anna nodded slightly and then she sat up and resumed talking in a normal voice. “I'm going to get us glasses of water.” And with that she stood up and walked to the kitchen.Jake took in the sight of her bare back as she walked away from him. She was beautiful. He longed to touch her and hated himself for it. Momentarily, she would be walking back toward him, and he had to keep his eyes on the TV. He had to.She returned from the kitchen with two glasses of water. Instead of sitting she stood directly in front of him, blocking the TV, and held one out. Jake's efforts at gaze discipline went out the window as he was forced to look up at the glass, which she held at the exact elevation to be in line between his eyeballs and her breasts. Jake did his best to keep his eyes moving up to her face where he looked her in the eyes and said a hoarse “thank you” as he took the glass.Anna tilted her head far back to take drink. With her eyes toward the ceiling, Jake understood she was giving him permission to look.Jake's eyes widened as he took in the sight, and his composure left him. The rest of the room faded out of existence as his brain took in every detail.The slightly tan color of Anna's face and arms was thanks to the sun, for her bare shoulders and upper chest were paler. Her breasts were paler still and revealed a faint tracery of blue veins around her shapely contours. Her hair covered the promised inverted nipples, though he could see the edges of puffy pink areolas.On the one hand, this was just another part of his friend's body. His friend Anna happened to be a woman, women have breasts, and these were simply Anna's breasts. Up close like this, Jake could see the subtle details on her skin. The fine hairs, sprinkling of moles, and minor asymmetries stressed the reality of what he beheld, in contrast to the airbrushed breasts in porn. Intellectually, Jake knew in the big picture all breasts, all bodies, were ultimately unremarkable.On the other hand, Jake couldn't help feeling these particular breasts were magical beacons of beauty, acceptance, trust, and intimacy. Anna's breasts emanated waves of warmth that bathed his heart in joy and evoked feelings of affection and protectiveness. It pained him to think of all those years of being ashamed of her body, avoiding physical intimacy for fear of rejection.After an eternity of taking in this sight, Anna sat on the couch again. He fastened his eyes on the TV and tried to regain his composure.Jake felt a flash of pain on his arm as Anna playfully hit him with the back of her hand. “Come on, slowpoke, press 'A' so we can start the next race. I'm enjoying destroying you.”“Oops,” Jake said, resuming the game. And then, feeling daring, he added: “I don't know where my mind was.”It was hard to tell without turning his head, but he thought he saw her smile.They played a few more races until it was their usual bedtime for a work night.Anna stood up. “Well, we both have work tomorrow. Better call it a night.” She walked into Jake's bedroom and then returned dressed normally. The light in the room felt weaker without the shining warmth of her bare breasts. He fought to hide his disappointment.“G'night,” she said, walking to the door.Jake leaped up to meet her at the door. “Thanks for the fun evening,” he said. Then, his face reddening, “I mean the Mario Kart.”Anna laughed, her face blushing too. “Thank YOU!” Then, hesitating, “for everything.”When the door closed behind her, Jake's apartment felt cold, lonely, and dark.The next day at work, Jake had trouble getting anything done with visions of Anna's breasts dancing in his head. He missed the feeling of being with her when she was topless. But on his way home, a new worry arose: How awkward would it be when he saw her again tonight? There was no going back to how things had been before.Opening the door to his apartment, he heard Anna working in the kitchen.“Hey,” Jake called out.“Hey yourself,” Anna answered from the kitchen.Jake relaxed when he saw she was wearing a shirt, though not without a pang of disappointment. What had he expected? Idiot. Anna cut vegetables, wearing the circuit-board-print apron she liked.“Get the waters, I'm almost finished.”Jake tried to act normal but couldn't stop thinking about her breasts as he set the coffee table in front of the TV. Anna put down plates of chicken salad and sat beside him on the couch.Normally, at this point they would watch something on TV while they ate. The remote control was on the arm of the couch next to Anna, ignored.“How was work?” Anna asked.“Oh fine, pretty normal,” Jake lied. “You?”“Actually,” Anna said, “I had trouble focusing at work today.” She paused there, as if giving Jake an opportunity to say more.“To be honest,” Jake admitted, turning to look her in the eye, “I had the same problem.”“Was there something on your mind?” Anna asked.“Technically two things were on my mind,” Jake said.Anna burst out laughing. Relieved, Jake laughed too.“I want to thank you,” Anna said, “for being so patient with me last night. And kind. I was close to running out of the room in tears. You helped me keep it together.” She took his hand. “That was very kind of you. I feel like a burden of shame was lifted. Thank you.”Jake blushed.“What I hadn't expected, though…” Anna looked down. “What I hadn't expected was how much I enjoyed it.”Anna slowly raised her eyes to meet Jake's. Panic came rushing back. Did she want to do it again? Did Jake want that? Confused thoughts swirled in his head. Did he want to kiss Anna? Yes, but she didn't want that. Did he feel romantic thoughts about her? Yes, but she didn't want that either. Did he want to see her breasts again, despite all his misgivings? Yes. Most definitely yes.“Did you…” Anna was studying his face. “Did you enjoy it, too?”“YES!” Jake blurted out, not exactly playing it cool.Anna smiled. “Do you, do you mind if we do it again?”“I would love that,” Jake answered.Anna hesitated. “It made me feel better when you took your shirt off first.”Jake nearly tore his shirt in his rush to pull it off. Anna's eyes on his chest made his skin feel warm.After a moment of staring, Anna started to unbutton her shirt. Feeling emboldened by Anna's unguarded staring at him, Jake watched her fingers work. The anticipation was intense, and he felt a reckless swelling between his legs.“Excuse me,” Anna said sternly, “my eyes are up here.”Jake blanched and tore his gaze up at the ceiling, his heart pounding in panic and his dick shrinking in shame. Incoherent apologies spilled out of his mouth as he tried to repair the damage his eager eyes had done.“Whoa, whoa, it's okay, I was just joking!” Anna said quickly. “I've never seen anyone go so pale. Are you okay? Jake, you didn't do anything wrong. The whole point is for you to look at me.” She grabbed his shoulders. “Jake, please, I'm sorry, I was only trying to be funny.” She gently pulled on the back of his head until it was tilted down at her chest again. “Your respectful instincts are part of why I trust you. It's okay. I want you to look.”He watched her shirt rise and fall with each breath, and eventually his breathing matched hers. Anna released his head and resumed unbuttoning. She wasn't wearing a bra. After t

Luxuries for the Soulhttps://luxuriesforthesoul.comExplore the rich intersection of astrology, Chinese medicine, and personal growth with Marie Bowser. In this conversation, Alexis and Marie discuss how the seasonal energies influence well-being, and you'll learn practical ways to align with the elements for a balanced life.Key TopicsSeasonal energy shifts and their impact on well-beingThe significance of the wood element in personal growthPractical ways to nourish and balance the wood elementThe influence of astrology and Chinese medicine on health and behaviorStrategies for managing emotions and hormonal healthChapters02:01 Embracing the Wood Element04:21 The Interplay of Elements and Seasonal Changes06:56 Finding Balance in Energies09:48 Practical Ways to Engage with the Wood Element12:30 The Nuances of Elemental Energies15:20 Competitive Spirit and Growth18:00 Balancing Wood Element Characteristics21:42 Exploring Personal Elements: Yin and Yang24:32 Navigating Life's Energies: Tiger vs. Rabbit29:18 Cultural Perspectives on Alcohol and Well-being35:18 Hormonal Health: The Role of the Liver43:16 Understanding Hormonal Imbalances in Women48:00 Integrating Multiple Healing Modalities54:43 Guiding Mantras and Personal Growth59:05 Personal Rituals and Priorities01:09:54 Luxury for the Soul and Well-Lived LifeConnect with Marie Bowser:https://thewayofease.comVisit Luxuries for the Soulhttps://luxuriesforthesoul.com

THE WES BUCK SHOW – EPISODE 413“MEET SEASON, CHAMPS, AND FORCE MOVES”SOMETHIN'S IN THE AIR THIS WEEK. SMELLS LIKE BURNOUTS, BOOST, AND BRACKET BUSTERS.This week on The Wes Buck Show, we're teein' up a triple-header that stretches across the sport. We're talkin' West Coast history, East Coast horsepower, and NHRA's latest storyline all in one go.First up, Blake Bowser. The man behind the legendary March Meet at Famoso Dragstrip. This ain't just a race, it's a damn time machine on fire. Nostalgia Funny Cars. Blown Fuel Dragsters. The baddest hot rods from every decade. And Blake's been keepin' the flame lit. We're choppin' it up with him ahead of one of the most iconic events in all of drag racing.Then it's time for the champ. Steve King, last year's winner of the World Series of Pro Mod, is back in the building. We are just a week and a half away from this year's throwdown and Steve is out to prove that lightning can strike twice. We're gonna break down what last year's win meant, what the offseason looked like, and what the target on your back feels like when you're the guy.Last up, Jordan Vandergriff. The newest driver to join the juggernaut that is John Force Racing. Big news. Big pressure. Big opportunity. We're talkin' about what it means to suit up for one of the most iconic teams in motorsports, how the deal came together, and what fans can expect as NHRA rolls into 2026.Three guests. Three big stories. One sport that never stops moving.Let's get it.Each week on The Wes Buck Show, Wes Buck, JT “Murder T” Hudson, and Mike Carpenter bring their unique insights and analysis to the most electrifying moments and storylines from a packed weekend of drag racing.

The race is shaping up to be a bruising contest between Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George and former At-Large Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie. And ranked choice voting is an unknown factor in the race.

On this episode of the NHRA Insider Podcast Powered by Speedmaster, NHRA Pro Mod legend Von Smith and the March Meet's Blake Bowser join host Brian Lohnes to tell stories, recount history, and explore all that's coming at the 2026 March Meet at historic Famoso Drag Strip in Bakersfield. 2010 NHRA Pro Mod champion Von Smith is the first guest on the show and he talks about his incredible career, transitioning from Funny Car to Pro Mod, winning championships, being among the first to race internationally more than a decade ago, and the kind of inside racer stories we love. Learn about the health battles he overcame, his memorable 2010 season title, and how the world of five second 250mph door slammer racing has evolved and how he himself helped evolve it.  Blake Bowser is the second guest on the show. A man with multiple generations of history at Famoso Drag Strip, he now oversees the operation of the famed Good Vibrations March Meet and the California Hot Rod Reunion. Get the inside scoop on what's happening in 2026, the incredible history of the event, and why it continues to be one of the great drag races on the planet from the guy who knows it best.  All that and more including news and rumors, right here!

Welcome to Multiverse News, Your source for Information about all your favorite fictional universesSo many trailers premiered on and around the Super Bowl that we're going to make a meal of it for today's episode! Let's break down every new trailer that recently dropped.Starting with a not-trailer, The Mandalorian & Grogu subverted expectations with a shorter advertisement rather than a full trailer.Illumination's new trailer for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie showed longer looks at Bowser, Jr. and Yoshi.James Gunn and DC Studios released a new trailer for Supergirl.Project Hail Mary gave us another heartfelt look with a different trailer starring Ryan Gosling.Universal continues to go hard in the Minionverse, releasing a trailer for Minions and Monsters.Last week, a trailer for Scream 7 was released and was shown before the Super Bowl.Finally, another look at Steven Spielberg's Disclosure Day dropped during the Super Bowl.After a competitive bidding situation that unfolded over the past few months, A24 has landed rights to horror franchise The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The indie studio will first tackle a series based on the franchise with Glen Powell among the executive producers and The Long Walk writer JT Mollner attached to direct. Powell, it's noted, will only have a producing role in the project and isn't slated to appear on screen.HBO is developing Baldur's Gate, a drama series based on Wizards of the Coast's video game franchise set in the world of Dungeons and Dragons with The Last of Us showrunner Craig Mazin attached to create, write, executive produce and showrun the TV adaptation. Unlike HBO's The Last Of Us, which retold the story from the PlayStation games, the Baldur's Gate TV series will be a continuation to the games, telling a story that takes place immediately after the events of Baldur's Gate 3.Callum Vinson has been cast in Prime Video's God of War adaptation series as Atreus, the 10 year old son of the main character Kratos.Chiwetel Ejiofor has joined the cast of Mike Flanagan's reboot of The Exorcist for Blumhouse alongside Scarlett Johansson.Ted Lasso star Phil Dunster is set to join the cast of Universal Pictures' live-action How to Train Your Dragon 2 in the role of Eret.The David Fincher-directed follow-up to Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood called The Adventures of Cliff Booth delivered a surprise trailer during the Super Bowl this weekend. Currently a release date on Netflix is unknown, although the trailer did end with 'Coming Soon.'Netflix has released the first trailer for season 2 of One Piece and set a release date of March 10th for the series.Warner Bros. Pictures is reuniting frequent collaborators Mike Flanagan and Stephen King on a new adaptation of The Mist, based on King's 1980 novella.Universal has set a release date of May 19, 2028 for The Mummy 4, which is set to return Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz to the franchise.

There is a term for people who look like their pets... its called a Bowser... and we think that Jed definitely looks like the featured pet for Furry Friday

We all think that Jed looks like the featured pet from this week's Furry Friday... but we get our co-workers to come in studio and give their opinion.

We have all the highlights from this morning's show that you can get on demand and free now! Enjoy it as we head into the weekend. We will see you all Monday morning!

There is a term for people who look like their pets... its called a Bowser... and we think that Jed definitely looks like the featured pet for Furry Friday See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have all the highlights from this morning's show that you can get on demand and free now! Enjoy it as we head into the weekend. We will see you all Monday morning! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all think that Jed looks like the featured pet from this week's Furry Friday... but we get our co-workers to come in studio and give their opinion. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tolle v. Bowser

Join Jim and Greg for the Monday 3 Martini Lunch as they recoil at Vogue's absurdly fawning profile of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, unpack new revelations from the latest Epstein document release, and chronicle the painfully inept responses by two big-city mayors to a few inches of snow and ice.First, they completely lose their appetites over Vogue's glowing puff piece on Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is widely expected to run for president in 2028. The article opens by swooning over his appearance and only sinks further from there. Jim says this type of profile is the opposite of real journalism but we'll see a lot more of this as the election gets closer.Next, they dig into the latest batch of Epstein files, which include high-profile names such as Bill Gates and Richard Branson. Many of these associations reportedly continued well after Epstein's Florida plea deal involving underage girls. Jim and Greg have zero sympathy for anyone who knowingly remained in Epstein's orbit long after those crimes were public.Finally, Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani earn failing grades for their cities' embarrassing responses to a few inches of snow and ice. More than a week later, many streets are barely passable, trash is piling up, and numerous D.C.-area schools are still closed.Please visit our great sponsors:Skip the hassle and book a top-rated doctor in seconds with Zocdoc. Visit https://www.Zocdoc.com/3ML today!Visit https://CoastPay.com/3ML to get free gas for a whole day. Terms apply.Unlock your healthiest skin by targeting visible aging signs at https://Oneskin.co/3ML with code 3ML for 15% off.New episodes every weekday. 

What is Nintendo without Bowser? Does Xbox have ANY future in consoles? Could Ubisoft be any more disgusting as the buzzards who run it (into the ground) continue to hack it apart in the name of "efficiency?" What does it really mean to make a game "FOR THE FANS!" and does anyone still care if Life is Strange tries to go back to whatever well they think that was? The gaming industry remains weird in 2026 and we're happy to dunk on it.PLUS:– COLIN: Dooms the World in Tony's latest book rec.– HAYGOOD: Shouts out his wife's laudable health journey.– HITMAN: Goes cross-platform!– FREE: Steam game for first to cash in the code!This episode was mixed by Tony Sadowski and includes Joe Haygood, Joe Fourhman and Tony Sadowski on vocals. You can download the podcast directly from here or click on one of the links below to subscribe. This episode features “Arcade Heroes,” “Pixel Party,” and “Coin Op Chaos” by Eric Matyas, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.soundimage.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Linktree: ⁠https://linktr.ee/Analytic⁠Join The Normandy For Additional Bonus Audio And Visual Content For All Things Nme+! Join Here: ⁠https://ow.ly/msoH50WCu0K⁠ In this segment of Notorious Mass Effect, Analytic Dreamz delivers an in-depth reaction and breakdown to the highly anticipated Official Yoshi First Look Trailer for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (2026). Analytic Dreamz dives into the cosmic adventure teased in this follow-up to The Super Mario Bros. Movie, highlighting Chris Pratt reprising his role as Mario, alongside returning stars Charlie Day as Luigi, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Jack Black as Bowser, and Keegan-Michael Key as Toad. Special focus goes to the debut of Yoshi, new cast additions like Brie Larson voicing Rosalina and Benny Safdie as Bowser Jr., plus exciting glimpses of galactic worlds, classic gameplay nods, and high-stakes action. Analytic Dreamz shares detailed thoughts on the animation, voice performances, fan-favorite character introductions, and what this means for the expanding Nintendo cinematic universe. Perfect for Mario fans eager for insights on the April 2026 theatrical release from Illumination and Nintendo.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/analytic-dreamz-notorious-mass-effect/donationsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Devon Pritchard's first public appearance, Bowser hits Hasbro, and Switch 2 rumors swirl. Ep. 796 breaks it all down.

Two FKTs (fastest known time) from two different people, on two different routes, for different 'whys', but with the support of one another they accomplished great things. Teresa Bowser came up with her own 100+ miler called Project Untamed, and now the holds the FKT. When you come up with your own course, you would think you would make it as easy as possible, but not Teresa. My legs were burning just listening to her and Nathan describe the course! If you want to go for this FKT, just expect it to be BRUTAL but amazing all wrapped into one. This is everything Teresa loves on the trails she loves, and she wants YOU to go out and try it. For Nathan Frantz, his goal was to get the FKT for the yo yo of the Foothills Trail which calculates to over 150 miles. Nathan wanted to do this for his nephew, TJ, who has a rare form of leukodystrophy. As Nathan describes him..."He is the only child in the U.S. (with this form) and one of six in the entire world. And yet, if you met him, you'd never know the weight he carries. He is a light. Joy. Laughter. The kind of kid who reminds you what hope looks like". Nathan used his FKT attempt as a fundraiser for TJ, and the Go Fund Me link is still live: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-tjs-fight-against-leukodystrophyTeresa was Nathan's crew chief and helped him through all the highs and the lows. Nathan paced Teresa for SO many miles in the hardest sections when she was the most tired. They supported each other, they laughed together, they slept-ran together, and I am so happy I got to hear their journeys from both of their perspectives. Thank you, Nathan and Teresa, for coming on the podcast!Teresa Bowser's Instagram: Nathan Frantz's Instagram:Teresa's Strava: @teresabowser_Nathan's Strava: @steadypacenateFollow Facing Vert on Instagram! @facingvertAs always, thank you for listening!

Lots happening on this Friday edition of Glenn Clark Radio, the Ravens made their head coach hire last night, former Chargers Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter is the new head coach of the Ravens. We'll dive into how we got here, what the hire means for the team moving forward and try to learn as much as we can about the new leader of the Ravens, we'll do it with the help of Stan ‘The Fan' Charles who is going to be hanging in studio with us. We're going to catch up with a former players under Jesse Minter, as former Ravens LB and our friend Tyus Bowser will tell us what it's like playing for Minter. Plus, we're going to check in with WJZ's Marty Bass to give us an update on this weekend's impending snow storm. Plus, Glenn and Griffin will go over our NFL Championship weekend picks, Griffin looking to clinch a Picks League title while Kyle Ottenheimer prepares to serve his punishment…

Josh, Louie, and Donald discuss all things TCGs

We're off this week, so we thought we would release one of our Patreon Host Specials on the main feed! As chosen by the Patrons, they've decided to release Jocelyn's Host Special on EA. Enjoy and we'll return with a new episode next week.For decades, gamers have joked that the real gaming villain isn't Ganon, Bowser, or The Illusive Man…it's Electronic Arts. The studio-shuttering, loot-box-pioneering, “surprise mechanics”-defending corporate monolith that somehow became the symbol of everything broken in modern gaming. How did that reputation happen? Does EA actually deserve the crown?In this episode of Innside Stories, Joce takes a deep dive into the rise (and repeated falls) of EA, from its idealistic origins championing “Electronic Artists,” to the studio graveyard it left behind, to the crunch culture exposed by the EA Spouse letter, to the Maxis and Spore disasters, all the way to their $55 billion Saudi-led buyout in 2025. If you've ever wondered how EA became gaming's favourite villain, or whether they ever truly were, this one's for you!Each month, we alternate posting a Host Special, focusing on personal experiences, our favourite games, or just stories that peaked our interest. If you'd like to receive these monthly specials and other Patreon bonuses, consider becoming a Patron of The Gamers' Inn. Thank you for the support!Important StuffSupport us on PatreonDiscord ChannelEmail the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hey Retro Fans!

"Frequency and authenticity are the two biggest drivers of engagement in today's channels."In this episode of Politely Pushy, Eric Chemi connects with Nathan C Bowser, a product strategist, podcast host of "The Tech Glow Up," and founder of Awesome Future. Interacting with Fortune 1000 companies and interviewing 300+ technology leaders has fine-tuned Nathan's data-meets-creative approach to helping businesses and the innovative go-to-market leaders behind them succeed. Tune into this episode as Nathan shares their insights into an AI-everywhere marketplace, coaching teams on nailing singular metrics, and the power of customer storytelling.

Dj Detach & Afalina vs Break The Grid — Go Slow 01. BASSCHAOS — Imperfects Are Rejected 02. Firestar Soundsystem — Light The Fire 03. Bou x Irah x Kanine x Trigga & Dark Firestar Soundsystem — Wicked 04. Bowser — Gazelle 05. Bassline Junkie — BAD BAD BAD 06. Lady Waks & Parma De Palma feat. WuJu - Рейв 07. Bongy — Bombeaat 08. Four Motion & WelderB — Dirty Steps 09. Iva — Superbad (IBWT Music) 10. Cortese — SPU1 (Original Mix) 11. Miau — Kat-Out 12. Lady Waks — Feel The Flame 13. Krafty Kuts — Read Your Mind 14. GUAU, Destroyers — No Time 15. Sans — Ready (Original Mix) 16. Guau, Destroyers — Dance 2 17. The Darrow Chem Syndicate, Pulsarion — The Hike 18. Bowser, PAVANE — Superpower 19. PAVANE — Kick Back 20. Guau & Shade K — Spoolin 21. Macho — We Jump 22. Rohaan — Sterling (Original Mix) 23. Bongy – System 24. Krafty kuts — Wub Juggler 25. Cude — High Energy 26. Dany BS — Believe (GUAU Remix) 27. Sunsha & Rave Key — Bring That Booty 28. Fruity Loops / Bowser / MBreaks — Lemon 29. Shockillaz — Papi 30. PAVANE / FM-3 — Comsi Comsa 31. Hankook — Night Stalker 32. Ilya Gadaev — My Own 33. Aggresivnes — Back 2 Disco (Original Mix) 34. Perfect Kombo — Vandals 35. Adam Gillett — Reap What You Sow (Nihon Ten Remix) 36. James Shinra — Turn It Up (Extended Mix) 37. Terrie Kynd & SellRude — Rilgar 38. Guau & Nosk — Erlebnjs (Original Mix) 39. Bios Destruction — Selection 40. Project 145 — My Heart No Break 41. Orebeat & SellRude — Serotonine 42. CoolTasty & NVTHEC — Fatal Error 43. Paket — Drown In You 44. SellRude — Dreams 45. Gwizz, Phasee, Mad Sam & M4DZ — Rum (Extended Mix) 46. Bongy — Bali 47. C-Du — Funk Drums (Resslek Remix) 48. Koherent & GLXY — Darling Sky 49. Gui - Work It 50. Ostere - Clapback 51. Iamdoomed - Burn 52. Xsetra - Control 53. Harley D, Scotty - CL2

Dj Detach & Afalina vs Break The Grid — Go Slow 01. BASSCHAOS — Imperfects Are Rejected 02. Firestar Soundsystem — Light The Fire 03. Bou x Irah x Kanine x Trigga & Dark Firestar Soundsystem — Wicked 04. Bowser — Gazelle 05. Bassline Junkie — BAD BAD BAD 06. Lady Waks & Parma De Palma feat. WuJu - Рейв 07. Bongy — Bombeaat 08. Four Motion & WelderB — Dirty Steps 09. Iva — Superbad (IBWT Music) 10. Cortese — SPU1 (Original Mix) 11. Miau — Kat-Out 12. Lady Waks — Feel The Flame 13. Krafty Kuts — Read Your Mind 14. GUAU, Destroyers — No Time 15. Sans — Ready (Original Mix) 16. Guau, Destroyers — Dance 2 17. The Darrow Chem Syndicate, Pulsarion — The Hike 18. Bowser, PAVANE — Superpower 19. PAVANE — Kick Back 20. Guau & Shade K — Spoolin 21. Macho — We Jump 22. Rohaan — Sterling (Original Mix) 23. Bongy – System 24. Krafty kuts — Wub Juggler 25. Cude — High Energy 26. Dany BS — Believe (GUAU Remix) 27. Sunsha & Rave Key — Bring That Booty 28. Fruity Loops / Bowser / MBreaks — Lemon 29. Shockillaz — Papi 30. PAVANE / FM-3 — Comsi Comsa 31. Hankook — Night Stalker 32. Ilya Gadaev — My Own 33. Aggresivnes — Back 2 Disco (Original Mix) 34. Perfect Kombo — Vandals 35. Adam Gillett — Reap What You Sow (Nihon Ten Remix) 36. James Shinra — Turn It Up (Extended Mix) 37. Terrie Kynd & SellRude — Rilgar 38. Guau & Nosk — Erlebnjs (Original Mix) 39. Bios Destruction — Selection 40. Project 145 — My Heart No Break 41. Orebeat & SellRude — Serotonine 42. CoolTasty & NVTHEC — Fatal Error 43. Paket — Drown In You 44. SellRude — Dreams 45. Gwizz, Phasee, Mad Sam & M4DZ — Rum (Extended Mix) 46. Bongy — Bali 47. C-Du — Funk Drums (Resslek Remix) 48. Koherent & GLXY — Darling Sky 49. Gui - Work It 50. Ostere - Clapback 51. Iamdoomed - Burn 52. Xsetra - Control 53. Harley D, Scotty - CL2

Kim Bowser is a world-class martial artist, elite competitor, and respected instructor who has earned her place among the top female black belts in her division. Throughout her career, she has compiled an extraordinary list of achievements, including 7 European titles, 5 Pan Championships, and 3 No-Gi World Championships, cementing her reputation as one of the elite athletes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Known for her sharp technical precision, competitive mindset, and relentless work ethic, Kim is equally respected for her leadership and mentorship, guiding and inspiring students both on and off the mats. Beyond Jiu-Jitsu, Kim is a devoted mother to four boys, ranging in age from sixteen to twenty-six. When she's not training, teaching, or competing, she enjoys running, lifting, tackling puzzles, and traveling. Please welcome my guest today — Kim Bowser. Kimberly Bowser (1) Instagram Winning With The Spider Guard by Kimberly Pruyssers – BJJ Fanatics

This week WAMU will be taking a region-wide look at critical issues surrounding data centers, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser will be our guest on The Politics Hour, and a guide to top ice skating spots this winter.

In the 8 AM hour, Andrew Langer and Patrice Onwuka discussed: GUEST: K.T. McFarland on Afghan National’s Guard Assault and Ukraine Peace Prospects GUEST: Chuck Thies on Afghan Shooter and Mayor Bowser’s Exit SECURITY FAILURE: Afghan National with CIA Ties Attacks D.C. National Guard UKRAINE DIPLOMACY: Putin Signals Readiness for Serious Talks DC POLITICS: Mayor Bowser Abruptly Ends Re-Election Campaign Where to find more about WMAL's morning show: Follow Podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Audible and Spotify Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, @PatricePinkfile, and @HeatherHunterDC Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor Instagram: WMALDC Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company Episode: Friday, November 28, 2025 / 8 AM HourSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

henceforth known as the Great Goo Event of 2025

In the 6 AM hour, Andrew Langer and Patrice Onwuka discussed: GUEST: Cal Thomas on Ukraine Deal, Trump Prosecutions, Thanksgiving Gratitude CRIME WAVE: Soft Policies Fuel Chicago Repeat-Offender Rampage DC EXIT: Bowser Opts Out of Re-Election Race CLIMATE CLASH: Thunberg Fined for Venice Canal Dye Protest Where to find more about WMAL's morning show: Follow Podcasts on Apple Podcasts, Audible and Spotify Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, @PatricePinkfile, and @HeatherHunterDC Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor Instagram: WMALDC Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company Episode: Wednesday, November 26, 2025 / 6 AM HourSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Muriel Bowser has announced that she's going to hang it up after 12 years in office. What happens now? And what should we make of the decade-plus that Herronner has spent dominating DC politics? City Cast's Michael Schaffer, Bridget Todd and WAMU's Alex Koma explain every juicy detail.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month.  Learn more about the sponsors of this November 26th episode: District Bridges Nace Law Group Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

This week Frank celebrates his birthday in the studio with Jon, keeps the vibes relaxed, and still manages to pack in a full slate of geek news and debates. The two kick things off with updates on Shogun Season 2, breaking down the ten year time jump, the politics of feudal Japan, and how Western audiences connect with Asian history and tropes on screen. From there they pivot to Valve's newly announced Steam Machine concept and what it means for the future of consoles, PC gaming, and cloud streaming. Then it is trailer time. Frank and John react to the new Fallout Season 2 trailer and its New Vegas setting, the Super Mario Galaxy movie trailer from Illumination, and the first official images from the live action Legend of Zelda movie. They also dig into Disney's Moana live action remake and use it as a springboard to talk about when fans want faithful recreations and when they actually want a fresh take. In the second half, Frank launches a new recurring bit called Shallow Dives, a timed debate game where one host takes a position and the other plays devil's advocate. Topics this round include whether physical media is really coming back, if critic and audience scores should be hidden for a movie's first week, and how central cosplay is to modern fandom. The episode wraps with recommendations for Welcome to Derry and a timely revisit of V for Vendetta. Timestamps and Topics 00:00 – Birthday intro, in person recording, and why this episode is more relaxed 01:00 – Shogun Season 2 news, ten year time jump, and how the show handles Japanese history and European trade politics 05:30 – Valve's new Steam Machine concept, console vs PC, and why price point might decide its fate 11:20 – Fallout Season 2 trailer reaction, New Vegas connections, Elvis ghoul Kings, and Macaulay Culkin's role 15:40 – Super Mario Galaxy movie trailer, Bowser in a jar, Bowser Jr, Rosalina, and Illumination's animation style and music 18:20 – First look at the live action Legend of Zelda movie and a deeper talk about faithful adaptations vs reinterpretations 24:00 – Moana live action trailer, shot for shot remakes, green screen fatigue, and who these remakes are really for 28:15 – Introducing Shallow Dives, the 5 minute debate game and how it might work at conventions 29:30 – Shallow Dive 1: Is physical media actually making a comeback or is streaming still king 35:00 – Shallow Dive 2: Should critic and audience scores be hidden for the first week of release 41:00 – Shallow Dive 3: Is cosplay a core part of fandom or its own parallel hobby 46:20 – Weekly recommendations: Welcome to Derry and why V for Vendetta still matters 48:10 – Wrap up and sign off Key Takeaways Shogun Season 2 will jump ten years into the Edo era, exploring what it means for Toranaga to not just conquer Japan but govern it while foreign powers like Portugal and Britain push for control. For Western viewers, Shogun can be a gateway into Asian history and storytelling, with Frank and John comparing it to Game of Thrones style politics filtered through a real world lens. Valve's new Steam Machine raises real questions about timing and audience, but John argues that if the device hits the right price and lives in the living room it could appeal to younger PC focused players and convention setups. The Fallout Season 2 trailer leans hard into New Vegas iconography, from Elvis themed ghoul factions to Roman inspired forces, while doubling down on the tension between Lucy's idealism and the brutal wasteland reality. The Super Mario Galaxy movie and the Zelda live action first look both seem to be chasing a very faithful visual style, keeping game aesthetics intact while polishing them for film, especially through music and world design. Moana's live action remake sparks a bigger conversation about when fans want a nearly shot for shot remake and when they want a reinterpretation, with both hosts skeptical about the flat, overly digital look of some recent remakes. In the Shallow Dives segment, the physical media debate lands on a nuanced middle ground: streaming is convenient, but physical and local digital collections still matter for ownership, longevity, and curation. The discussion about scores leads Frank to explain why Geek Freaks removed numeric ratings from posts, preferring to describe how a story feels instead of flattening it to a single number. On cosplay, both hosts agree that it might be its own fandom as much as a subset of any one property, but it absolutely boosts the sense of community and safety at cons by signaling "you are with your people." Memorable Quotes "I would rather put out a relaxed episode than no episode." "Each vault in Fallout is just a wild experiment, and that weirdness is the charm of the show." "Physical media might not be for everyone anymore, but owning a copy means nobody can pull it off your shelf overnight." "Reviews should tell you how a story makes you feel, not just slap a number on it." "Cosplay is like an instant signal that you are in a safe place to be as nerdy as you want." Call To Action If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe to Geek Freaks on your favorite podcast app, leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and share the show with a friend who loves Fallout, Zelda, or Disney animation. Spread the word using the hashtag #GeekFreaksPodcast so we can see what you think of the new Shallow Dives segment. Links and Resources All the news and stories we discuss come from our coverage at: GeekFreaksPodcast.com Follow Us Stay connected with Geek Freaks across the web: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegeekfreakspodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/geekfreakspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geekfreakspodcast/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@geekfreakspodcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GeekFreakspodcast Listener Questions Have a question, hot take, or Shallow Dive topic you want us to debate next time Send your thoughts and prompts to us on social media or through GeekFreaksPodcast.com and we might feature your idea in a future episode. Apple Podcasts Tags Geek Freaks, TV and Film, Entertainment News, Pop Culture, Shogun Season 2, Fallout TV Series, Fallout Season 2, Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Legend of Zelda Movie, Moana Live Action, Video Games, Cosplay, Physical Media, Movie Reviews, Streaming Services, Stephen King, Welcome to Derry, V for Vendetta, Alan Moore

What really went on between Muriel Bowser and Donald Trump during the DC police takeover? The Washington Post's Jonathan O'Connell has reported out an epic look at the relationship between the blue mayor and the people that make up the MAGA administration, full of jaw-dropping details. Come for the cocktail party with Russ Vought, stick around for the Marshawn Lynch meme.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can text us or leave a voicemail at: (202) 642-2654. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month.  Learn more about the sponsors of this November 17th episode: District Bridges Simply Eloped Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.

In this episode, I chat with another runner I coach named Teresa Bowser. This is a beautiful and inspiring story of melding passion with compassion. Teresa came up with a 100-mile route in Western North Carolina with over 20,000' of vertical gain to create an FKT and raise money for the Girls on the Run organization. She's almost reached her goal! If can donate, please do so here - https://www.gotrwnc.org/solemate/Project-Untamed If you'd like to learn more about the Route and FKT, please visit https://fastestknowntime.com/route/project-untamed-100-nc  If you'd like to connect with Teresa, you can find her on Instagram @TeresaBowser_ I also dive further into metrics and tracking improvements in your training, so stick around after my conversation with Teresa for that! As always, thank you for listening! Aaron's information: My Socials, Channels, & Newsletter: https://www.facebook.com/MRRUNNINGPAINSCOACHING https://www.instagram.com/runningislifecoaching/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ6J512qA34z_N0KJSU4jfw https://www.strava.com/athletes/18431982  Email - coachsaft@gmail.com Please share the Podcast and please leave a review, rate, & subscribe if you haven't done so already! THANK YOU! Aaron Saft Running Is Life Coaching & Podcast

Should you yell at a flock of seagulls? Also, is this the worst new public domain horror movie ever? We talk about America minting it's last pennies, the Super Mario Galaxy Movie trailer, and lots more!

Are you on social media? Of course you are. So follow us! Twitter: @MemberTheGameInstagram: @MemberTheGameTwitch.tv/MemberTheGame⁠⁠⁠Youtube.com/RememberTheGame⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook.com/RememberTheGamePodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok.com/@MemberTheGame⁠⁠⁠And if you want access to hundreds of bonus (ad-free) podcasts, along with multiple new shows EVERY WEEK, consider showing us some love over at Patreon. Subscriptions start at just $3/month, and 5% of our patreon income every month will be donated to our 24 hour Extra-Life charity stream at the end of the year!⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/RememberTheGame⁠⁠⁠And you can find Mark on TikTok @barkmccueIt's a rare movie review on RTG this week, and we're talking about quite possibly the greatest video game movie ever made in Disney's Wreck-It Ralph. If you can't find something to enjoy in this movie, I have to question whether or not you have a soul.The movie is to video games what Toy Story is to toys. We watch Ralph struggle in his role as a bad guy when he isn't really a "bad" guy, and when he sets out to prove it to the NPCs in his game, the world of Fix It Felix Jr comes crashing down. Add in an adorable sidekick, a badass heroine, and more video game easter eggs than you can count, and you have one hell of a movie.Pending RTG Hall of Famer Mark McCue is my guest this week and we praised the piss out of this movie. Laughing at our favourite scenes, pointing out the best cameos (and speculating on what it cost to get Bowser to appear)...this was just a really fun episode. No rage, no arguing, just two man-children geeking out about a movie for kids.And before we wreck it, I put together another edition of the Infamous Intro!This week, someone asks if Sega could take Nintendo down today if they were still in the console market? Are game consoles a good investment by the cost of entertainment today? And Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat?Plus we play another round of 'Play One, Remake One, Erase One', too! This one features 3 games that star villains from the movie: Super Mario Bros. 3, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, and Street Fighter 2.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

President Trump hosted a news conference in which he made an important Space Force announcement but also provided the sick left, who were wishing his death, proof of life. Also: another trove of Epstein files are released. Bowser to provide indefinite coordination with federal law enforcement ⁠⁠https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/09/02/bowser-dc-federal-law-enforcement-trump-takeover/⁠⁠ As many as 100 Epstein victims will attend Washington rally Wednesday⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article311942734.html⁠⁠ Trump Says U.S. Attacked Boat Carrying Venezuelan Gang Members, Killing 11⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/02/us/politics/trump-venezuela-boat-drugs-attack.html⁠⁠ Sponsors: Beam Organics - ⁠⁠https://shopbeam.com/VINCESHOW⁠⁠ code: Vinceshow Bon Charge - ⁠⁠https://boncharge.com⁠⁠ and use code: Vince Blackout Coffee - ⁠⁠https://BlackoutCoffee.com/Vince⁠⁠ BrickHouse Nutrition - ⁠⁠https://brickhousenutrition.com⁠⁠ code: labor25 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices