Podcasts about Bridgeford

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with Tom Rogerson – President & CEO of GenLegCo. Inc. – a recognized leader in family governance. Tom shares how his approach to wealth planning emphasizes preparing families for wealth, rather than just preparing wealth for families, offering guidance on navigating financial responsibilities and ultimately protecting families of wealth from themselves. As you listen, you'll hear Tom discuss his “7 Steps to Healthy Family Governance”, a process designed to educate families, foster communication and leadership, and create a long-term vision for their legacy. He also emphasizes the importance of independent trust companies with strong jurisdictional advantages, like South Dakota, to ensure legacy plans remain intact for generations. This long-term approach is why Bridgeford remains fiercely independent, helping families turn estate plans into lasting legacy plans that reflect their shared values and vision. The conversation explores Tom's personal journey into this work, and he explains why parents may have the right message but aren't always the right messenger—and how bringing in a third-party expert who provides objectivity, experience, and knowledge can make all the difference.

Last time we spoke about the fall of Mandalay. Fierce battles raged over northern Luzon as General Clarkson's forces advanced, capturing key locations while Colonel Volckmann's guerrillas targeted enemy positions. The challenging terrain favored Japanese defenses, creating fierce resistance. Despite this, American troops steadily progressed, securing hills and towns. By mid-March, the 38th Division's relentless push led to significant Japanese losses. The brutal history of POW massacres fueled American resolve, leading to further victories in the region, American forces, led by Major-General Jens Doe were given the task of invading Palawan. Despite facing fortified defenses and rough terrain, the 41st Division advanced under artillery and air support. Meanwhile, in Burma, British-Indian forces clashed with the Japanese, capturing key positions and repelling assaults. As tensions rose in French Indochina, the Japanese executed a coup, disarming French forces and establishing puppet governments. The conflict intensified, reshaping the region's power dynamics. This episode is the Fall of Iwo Jima Welcome to the Pacific War Podcast Week by Week, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about world war two? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on world war two and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel you can find a few videos all the way from the Opium Wars of the 1800's until the end of the Pacific War in 1945.  Today we are picking up on Iwo Jima. By March 10, General Schmidt's Marine forces had finally breached the determined enemy defenses to reach the northeastern shore of the island. However, there were still some Japanese strongholds to eliminate in the central and southern areas. One of these was Cushman's Pocket, named after the commander of the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, and located around a devastated ridge overlooking the sea, which housed the stubborn resistance southwest of Hill 362C. The other stronghold, held by General Senda's remaining troops, was established on March 11 after General Cates initiated his final push southeast toward the sea. Consequently, while Colonel Wensinger's 23rd Marines advanced quickly to the coast, Colonel Lanigan's 25th Marines struggled to make headway, as they were quickly halted by intense rocket, mortar, and small-arms fire from Senda's pocket. Unbeknownst to the Americans, Senda had committed suicide on March 8 following the failure of his banzai counterattack, leaving the disorganized Japanese forces in the pocket without leadership. Meanwhile, General Rockey's 5th Marine Division had advanced all the way to General Kuribayashi's last line of defense in northern Iwo Jima, where the battered defenders were prepared to make their final stand. Following a 50-minute preparation involving air, naval, and artillery support on March 11, Colonel Liversedge's 28th Marines launched their attack on the left with three battalions in line, while Colonel Wornham's 27th Marines attacked on the right with four battalions. However, fierce resistance soon forced the combat to close quarters, resulting in the Marines advancing only a few yards—up to 50 yards—across the front. To the right, while the 21st Marines advanced northward to connect with the 5th Division, Colonel Kenyon's 9th Marines resumed their assaults on Cushman's Pocket. The 1st and 3rd Battalions effectively eliminated all resistance in the eastern sector, completely sealing off the area controlled by the Japanese. On March 12, these battalions launched an attack westward toward Cushman's Pocket, with Colonel Withers' 3rd Battalion serving as a holding force on the opposite flank. However, the Marines faced strong opposition and could only advance slowly against the camouflaged enemy positions. To the north, Rocky's units continued to face intense resistance, with Liversedge making no progress and Wornham achieving only minor advances. An intelligence officer with the 5th Division estimated that a minimum of 1,000 Japanese troops were defending the northern end of the island, and stated ". . . there is no shortage of manpower, weapons, or ammunition in the area the Japanese have left to defend." The entire northern tip of the island seemed to be honeycombed with caves and passageways. When a 500-pound bomb landed in the mouth of a cave near Kitano Pint, a big puff of smoke blew out the side of a cliff over 400 yards away, and another bomb landing in a cave entrance in the same area caused a ring of smoke and dust to come up through the ground for a radius of 200 yards around the point of impact. Meanwhile, to the south, the 25th Marines pressed eastward while Colonel Jordan's 3rd Battalion contained the pocket from the north. Supported by tanks, flamethrowers, bazookas, anti-tank grenades, and 60mm mortars, Lanigan's troops engaged in fierce combat with the heavily fortified Japanese forces in the pocket for four days. During this time, Jordan's 2nd Battalion cleared the beach road, allowing the Shermans to move behind the pocket. On March 13, as Withers' 3rd Battalion returned to the 21st Marines, Kenyon's 1st and 3rd Battalions continued their offensive from the east, making significant gains that reduced Cushman's Pocket to 250 yards. Meanwhile, following a successful water-borne reconnaissance of Kama and Kangoku Rocks the previous afternoon, an armored amphibian company landed on these islets without encountering any resistance. At the same time, Rocky's weary Marines maintained pressure on the ridge above the gorge, achieving only slight gains on the right. Fortunately, by March 14, it seemed that the slow, arduous progress of the past three days had enabled the 27th Marines to push through the last strong enemy positions along the northeastern side of the island. As a result, Liversedge was instructed to hold position while the 26th and 27th Marines advanced north and northwest against lighter resistance, successfully gaining up to 1,000 yards by March 15.After armored dozers hacked paths forward, tanks were able to lend support. The flame tanks were particularly effective during this phase and provided "the one weapon that caused the Japanese to leave their caves and rock crevices and run." Army planes flew the last air support missions of the operation on 14 March when five P-51's dropped fire bombs (gasoline and diesel oil mixture) and strafed in front of 3/27 from 1030 to 1100. From then on, the narrow confines of the area of operations prevented use of those planes that had performed so well in supporting ground troops. Artillery and destroyers continued to furnish limited support, firing a preparation for RCT 26 on 15 March and performing night harassing and illumination missions. Meanwhile, operations against Cushman's Pocket entered their final phase on March 14, when Kenyon's 1st and 3rd Battalions finally breached the last enemy defenses by nightfall and completed the cleanup of the pocket two days later. On March 15, Lanigan redirected the main focus of the attack on Senda's pocket to the south, ordering the two battalions in the center to engage aggressively, resulting in a gain of approximately 200 yards and a deep penetration into the left flank of the Japanese's strongest positions. During the night, enemy forces attempted to infiltrate Marine lines from the south, but each attempt was detected and thwarted. Lanigan launched his final assault on March 16, facing only small, isolated pockets of resistance that were quickly eliminated as his battalions advanced toward the beach road. That day, with organized resistance in the 3rd Division's area of operations coming to an end, the 21st Marines were deployed to relieve the 27th Marines on the right flank to continue the northwest attack. With strong naval and artillery support, Withers' 1st Battalion encountered light resistance in its sector on the right, while the 2nd Battalion faced tougher opposition from scattered enemy positions. Nevertheless, both battalions reached the coastline at Kitano Point by the afternoon and began mopping up. To the left, Colonel Graham's 26th Marines also advanced cautiously northwest, with tanks effectively neutralizing enemy positions as the Marines gained about 400 yards. Despite the presence of 500 determined enemy troops still resisting in the western section of Kitano Point and the draw to the southwest, Iwo Jima was officially declared secured by the end of the day. However, on March 17, the battle for the gorge commenced as the 26th Marines advanced under moderate rifle fire, reaching the northern coast before shifting their focus southwestward to confront the gorge in front of the 28th Marines. The gorge in which the last resisting Japanese were now cornered was rocky and steep-sided, approximately 700 yards long and between 200 and 500 yards wide. Rock outcrops cut this ravine into other minor draws that constituted major obstacles to all types of movement. The entire area was ideally suited to the type of last ditch defense the Japanese had adopted. All routes into the main gorge were swept by heavy and accurate fire from machine guns and rifles concealed in cave positions in the cliffs and outcrops. The plan for attacking this strong point called for the 28th Marines, with attached elements of the 5th Pioneer Battalion and Division Reconnaissance Company, to hold the southern rim along the steep cliffs, while the reinforced 26th Marines worked in from the north and east. For the next nine days exhausted Marines carried out a battle of attrition against the thoroughly entrenched enemy. Advances into the east end of the ravine were measured in yards as each cave had to be sealed off before further progress could be made. Flame-thrower tanks, armored bulldozers, and infantry combined operations to provide the power and teamwork necessary to penetrate the last stronghold. As they gradually pushed down the ravine, resistance concentrated around a large concrete structure built into a knoll near the eastern end. After two days of assaults that silenced the supporting positions, engineers used bulldozers to seal a door on the north side and then demolished the structure with five charges totaling 8,500 pounds of explosives. Nevertheless, the battle of attrition persisted, and it wasn't until the end of March 24 that the pocket was reduced to an area of about 50 by 50 yards at the northwest end of the draw. The following morning, units of the 28th Marines, which had taken full responsibility for the pocket, reached the coastal cliffs to finally eliminate the last remnants of resistance in the gorge. On March 20, the 147th Regiment, set to take over the defense of Iwo Jima, arrived from New Caledonia, and by March 24, it had relieved the 21st Marines to establish night ambushes and patrols. The Japanese defenders fought tenaciously until the very end, choosing death over surrender. However, Kuribayashi had one final assault planned. In the pre-dawn darkness of March 26, the final act of the tragedy was performed. Between 200 and 300 Japanese troops from Death Valley and other scattered positions on the west coast silently crept through the ravines of the 5th Division sector headed for a tented area between Airfield No. 2 and the sea occupied by a mixture of Seabees, Air Force personnel, Shore Parties and AA Gunners. Most of them were sleeping, secure in the knowledge that the battle was virtually over. In a coordinated three-pronged attack against unsuspecting Marines and Air Force ground crews, aiming to create maximum chaos and destruction. Kuribayashi and his men stealthily cut through tents, bayoneted sleeping soldiers, and threw hand grenades, resulting in the deaths of around 44 Airmen and 9 Marines. The noise soon alerted troops from the surrounding area, and Marines from a nearby Pioneer Battalion, african american troops from a Shore Party, and soldiers from the 147th Infantry joined battle in a frenzy of shooting, punching, kicking and stabbing. Once the initial surprise wore off, the defenders retaliated, engaging in a chaotic hand-to-hand combat until the 5th Pioneer Battalion quickly organized a defensive line and halted the attack. Dawn revealed the full extent of the carnage in the ruined encampment: 44 Airman and 9 Marines lay dead with a further 119 wounded; of the attackers 262 were killed and 18 captured. Lt Harry Martin of the 5th Pioneers had hurriedly organized a defense line during the attack and single-handedly killed four enemy machine gunners before dying himself. He was to be Iwo Jima's final Medal of Honor hero, bringing the total to an incredible 27.  The circumstances of General Kuribayashi's death have always been shrouded in mystery. Over the years various sources have suggested that he died in the fighting around Death Valley or that he killed himself in his HQ. According to General Kuribayashi's son, Taro: “It seems that it was after sunset on March 25 to the dawn of the 26th that surviving Imperial Japanese forces were obliged to stand still under the US onslaught and showering shells. Under such circumstances, he had his sword in his left hand and ordered the chief staff officer, Colonel Takaishi, who was beside him, 'Send snipers to shoot'. Sargent Oyama heard the order. Oyama, who was seriously wounded in the last combat, fell unconscious, was hospitalized by the US and after having served as a POW came back and testified the dreadful account of the night to me. My father had believed it shameful to have his body discovered by the enemy even after death, so he had previously asked his two soldiers to come along with him, one in front and the other behind, with a shovel in hand. In case of his death he had wanted them to bury his body there and then. It seems that my father and the soldiers were killed by shells, and he was buried at the foot of a tree in Chidori Village, along the beach near Osaka Mountain. Afterwards General Smith spent a whole day looking for his body to pay respect accordingly and to perform a burial, but in vain.” Following the destruction of this final force, the capture and occupation phase of the Iwo Jima operation was declared complete. Over 34 days of combat, approximately 18,000 Japanese soldiers were killed, and 216 were taken prisoner, while the American side suffered heavy losses: 6,821 killed, 19,217 wounded, and 137 tanks destroyed. On April 4, the 147th Regiment took over full responsibility for the ground defense of Iwo Jima as the Marines were departing the island. Throughout April and May, aggressive patrols and ambushes by infantrymen resulted in an additional 867 prisoners and 1,602 Japanese killed, with the Americans losing 15 killed and 144 wounded. Meanwhile, General LeMay's 21st Bomber Command continued its firebombing campaign against Japan. After the successful Tokyo Great Air Raid and a less effective attack on Nagoya, LeMay decided to send 301 B-29s on the afternoon of March 13 to strike Osaka. Despite having to use radar bombing due to cloud cover, American bombardiers achieved a denser and more uniform bombing pattern than the impressionistic methods employed in Nagoya. This resulted in the destruction of 8.1 square miles in the city's core, including commercial and industrial areas, and caused 13,129 civilian casualties, with the loss of 2 bombers and 13 others damaged. Keeping up the intensity of the firebombing campaign, LeMay dispatched 307 B-29s to attack Kobe on the night of March 16. They faced 314 enemy interceptors, which proved ineffective against the Superfortresses unleashing fire over the port. Consequently, the fire on March 17 spiraled out of control, obliterating the eastern half of the business district and devastating a significant industrial zone to the southeast, including the Kawasaki shipyards. Japanese statistics show that the destruction was appalling. About 500 industrial buildings were destroyed, 162 damaged. The loss of 65,951 houses left 242,468 persons homeless. Police reported 2,669 dead or missing and 11,289 injured. Although the destruction was devastating for the Japanese, LeMay was disheartened to find that only 2.9 square miles of the city had burned. To complete his campaign, LeMay sent 313 bombers back to Nagoya on the night of March 19, utilizing radar techniques to cover a large portion of the city. This resulted in the burning of 3 square miles, including the Nagoya arsenal, freight yards, and Aichi's engine works. With an average of 380 aircraft, the 21st Bomber Command conducted 1,595 sorties over 10 days, dropping a total of 9,365 tons of bombs. The results far exceeded expectations, as the B-29s left a trail of destruction across four major cities, decimating 32 square miles and destroying numerous critical targets. Thus, LeMay's strategy proved successful, leading to incendiary area bombing becoming standard practice in the future. The focus now shifts from the Central Pacific to the South Pacific, where we need to address the ongoing Australian operations in New Britain. Following the capture of Milim and Ea Ea in January, General Ramsay's 5th Division aimed to continue its limited advances to the north. To secure crossings over the Ip River and patrol towards Henry Reid Bay, the entire 6th Brigade began moving to the Kiep-Milim area on January 26, completing this relocation by February 11. Concurrently, the 14th/32nd Battalion had advanced beyond the Ip and was conducting patrols towards Kalai Plantation, where they faced enemy resistance. The 36th Battalion also moved forward to Mavelo Plantation, leading to retaliatory actions against the new Australian outpost at Baia. In response, Ramsay dispatched stronger patrols to the Sai River throughout February, successfully establishing a new defensive line along the Mavelo River by the month's end. Returning to Wide Bay, after a series of aggressive patrols and nighttime ambushes, the 14th/32nd Battalion managed to reach Kamandran Mission by mid-February. The Australians continued to advance, and by the end of the month, the 19th Battalion, which had replaced the 14th/32nd at Gogbulu Creek, secured crossings over the Mevelo River and patrolled east toward the Wulwut River. On March 3, Ramsay ordered the 6th Brigade to cross the Wulwut and capture the Waitavalo Ridge. Two days later, the 19th Battalion initiated the assault but struggled to push more than one company across the river due to fierce enemy resistance. On March 6, following an artillery bombardment, another company successfully crossed and quickly seized Cake Hill. The next day, Lone Tree Hill was taken following another round of artillery bombardment. By March 10, Moose Hill, Young's Hill, and Perry's Knoll had also been captured. In the days that followed, Australian artillery began to suppress enemy mortars as infantry moved toward Kath's Hill. By mid-March, the 14th/32nd Battalion replaced the 19th Battalion, and on March 16, the Australians resumed their offensive, facing fierce resistance but successfully encircling Bacon Hill. The assault continued the next day as the 14th/32nd fought to reach the summit of the hill. On 18th March the mortar fire was intensified from the few remaining enemy positions, and it seemed that the Japanese were firing off their ammunition while they could. The attack was resumed. When Corporal Martin's section was halted on the steep spur by fire from three posts he jumped up shouting, "They can't do that to me", and went on alone, firing posts, killing five, before he himself was hit. The decisive attack was launched through this foothold. By 3 p.m. all the Japanese had been cleared from Bacon Hill; and a patrol from Kath's, under Lieutenant Lamshed,3 penetrated to a knoll 800 yards to the east and found no enemy there. No Japanese now remained in the Waitavalo-Tol area. In the five days from the 16th to the 20th 4 officers and 53 others had been killed or wounded.  In the following days, patrols ventured deep into enemy territory but found few stragglers. On March 21, the 19th Battalion took over again and advanced toward the Bulus and Moondei Rivers. On March 28, Ramsay ordered the 13th Brigade to relieve the 6th Brigade, a transition that was completed by April 12. Following the capture of Waitavalo Ridge, there were four months of infantry patrolling and routine maintenance by other troops, with the 16th Battalion patrolling forward to Jammer Bay in this area. Additionally, looking west, a company from the 36th Battalion successfully landed north of the Sai on March 30 but could not proceed to the Matalaili River due to heavy rains. However, Japanese positions there were heavily bombarded by aircraft and the sloop Swan, prompting the defenders to withdraw to the Toriu River in April. Meanwhile, Brigadier King's 16th Brigade advanced to the Ninahau River by March 12, while Brigadier Moten's 17th Brigade continued its westward push through the Torricelli Mountains, aiming to capture the Japanese base at Maprik. Throughout March, the 2/7th Battalion executed several successful ambushes from their new bases at Ilahop, Balangabadabil, and Bombeta, while Hayforce advanced through Sinahau to the north of Utumugu and eastward to Tatimba. By early March, Moten had cleverly led the enemy to believe that the primary offensive would be launched by the 2/10th Commando Squadron from the north via Ami. As a result, the Japanese bolstered their forces in that area, successfully driving back Australian patrols from Chaulak, Gwanginan, and Wambak. On March 13, the commando outpost at Milak came under attack, with the Japanese gradually encircling the position in the following days but failing to overcome the defenders' steadfast resistance. Fortunately, by March 17, patrols had restored communication lines, and two days later, the enemy pressure finally subsided. During this time, smaller Japanese forces also targeted the commando outposts at Murak and Aupik, but the defenders managed to repel these attacks as well. However, as the 2/10th was completely exhausted, the 2/6th Battalion was dispatched to relieve the commandos in late March amid a new wave of Japanese assaults. Meanwhile, the 2/7th Battalion was engaged in assaults on the fortified enemy positions at Ilaheta, which fell on March 20. The Australians then turned their attention to the Aupik villages, successfully focusing their efforts on the west bank of the Ninab River by the end of March, coinciding with Hayforce's crossing of the Amuk River. In the following three days, the 2/7th Battalion cleared all opposition along the eastern side of the Ninab in preparation for the final push toward Maprik. Consequently, General Miyake's 78th Regiment was ultimately compelled to retreat toward Jamei. Looking further north, King decided to initiate his advance towards But. By mid-March, a company from the 2/2nd Battalion had crossed the Ninahau on March 14 and quickly moved through Bai and Ultan. Although the Australian advance faced a strong enemy position that delayed progress for two days, the 2/2nd ultimately broke through Manib Creek, catching the defenders off guard and swiftly capturing the But airfield on March 17. Following this, the Australians patrolled the foothills and the Old German Road towards the Dagua airfield, encountering minimal resistance. Consequently, on March 21, the 2/2nd advanced rapidly again, successfully taking Dagua while the 2/1st Battalion moved in to secure But. At this stage, Japanese resistance along the coast was light, as General Adachi had focused on the Maprik district, which could produce more food. With the main enemy forces now concentrated in the hills to the south, King directed the 2/2nd to clear the foothills south of Dagua and eliminate the enemy in the Tokoku Pass, while the 2/3rd Battalion launched a flanking attack in the Mabam River-Hamsuk-Yalaminuni area. The 2/2nd then patrolled deep towards Magahen and Wonginara Mission, facing strong resistance at the 1410 Feature. On March 24, they finally captured the feature, while another patrol reached Wonginara without encountering enemy forces. However, in the final days of March, the Australians struggled to advance against the strong resistance of the Japanese defenders on the Wonginara Track, although one patrol successfully probed towards Kauremerak Hill. On April 2, following intense air and artillery bombardments, the 2/2nd Battalion finally managed to break through to Tokoku Pass, which was secured the next day. Meanwhile, another patrol advanced south from Dagua to the Autogi-Walanduum area and then to the coast near Kofi. The 2/3rd Battalion moved south from Feature 1410 towards the Mabam River and Wonginara Mission, successfully eliminating a series of Japanese ridge positions by April 6. The 2/1st Battalion patrolled deep into the hills south and west of But, completely clearing the area by April 1 while also pushing eastward to capture Saburuman. Concurrently, the 2/3rd Machine-Gun Battalion advanced to the upper Ninahau, effectively clearing the region up to a north-south line about two miles beyond Muguluwela by the end of March. In early April, the machine-gunners successfully cleared the Marabus area and connected with the 2/1st Battalion. Finally, it was time to shift focus to Bougainville to continue covering the Australian offensives on the island. As previously noted, Brigadier Stevenson's 11th Brigade had secured the Tsimba Ridge area, while Brigadier Field's 7th Brigade was advancing south towards the Puriata River. The swift capture of Mosigetta and the unexpected secondary landing at Toko had already compelled the Japanese to retreat behind the river amid a command crisis. The Japanese policy of resisting the southward advance more strongly even if it entailed heavier casualties failed to impose the hoped-for delay of the Australians. Nevertheless the Japanese leaders considered that the 13th Regiment's "swift damaging hit-and-run tactics" were well executed. However, Mosigetta was at length abandoned and a withdrawal south of the Puriata ordered. The landing at Toko was unexpected and caused an acceleration of this withdrawal. There now occurred a major crisis in the Japanese command. The young reserve officers were highly critical of the conduct of the campaign and blamed the policies of the older professional officers for the constant reverses. This criticism became so outspoken that, in February, a number of the younger officers were relieved of their commands; perhaps partly as an outcome of this crisis, General Hyakutake suffered a paralysis of his left side. General Kanda took command of the 17th Army and Lieutenant-General Akinaga Tsutomu, Chief of Staff of the Army, succeeded him in command of the 6th Division. "This change of command was regarded favourably by the younger officers, but it soon became apparent that Kanda intended to pursue the same policy as Hyakutake. Kanda was a shrewd, hard, fussy little professional soldier of long experience. He was steeped in tradition and a ruthless commander, but even his bitterest critics admitted his capabilities. Akinaga… was a dyed in the wool militarist and a strict disciplinarian. Unused to an active command he was plunged into a situation which was a little out of his depth. One of his staff stated that he spent too much time doing a corporal's job in his forward battalions to be a good divisional commander." In late February, General Bridgeford's forces advanced toward the Puriata, facing only minor rearguard positions. The 25th Battalion captured Barara on February 22 and a five-acre garden two days later, while the 61st Battalion took control of another garden measuring 600 by 400 yards near the river on March 1. Meanwhile, the 2/8th Commando Squadron was sent to secure the Makapeka area, successfully taking Commando Ridge and a ford across the Makapeka River by March 5. With General Savige aiming to reach the Hari River next, Bridgeford promptly ordered the 7th Brigade to move to the Hongorai River line. As a result, Field planned to initiate his main advance on March 11, utilizing the 25th Battalion and the 2/8th Commando Squadron, while the 61st Battalion pushed forward toward Horinu. In response, Kanda dispatched the 23rd Regiment to bolster the 13th at the front, preparing both units for a full-scale counterattack should the Australians cross the Puriata, aiming to delay the enemy long enough to finalize preparations for a decisive battle along the Silibai-Porror Rivers. By March 5, the 25th Battalion had already crossed the river and swiftly captured Slater's Knoll, which soon came under enemy mortar fire. Patrols were sent ahead and found that the 13th Regiment was poised to fiercely contest the Australian advance. Although the northern flank of the 25th Battalion would be effectively contained along the Buin Road on March 11, two Australian companies managed to maneuver through Tokinotu to the south, reaching Hiru Hiru by the end of the day. One of these companies moved along the eastern side of the Buin Road toward Slater's Knoll, but from March 15 to 17, they faced a heavy counterattack that ultimately forced them to withdraw. In response, Field initiated a strong offensive along the Buin Road on March 19, managing to push the Japanese back to some rear positions. Following a significant air and artillery bombardment, the attack resumed on March 22, successfully overcoming all enemy resistance. Meanwhile, the commandos advanced to Nihero, where they began extensive patrols southward towards Unanai, Hari, and the Buin Road. During one of these patrols, they captured detailed orders for a large-scale Japanese offensive planned for early April. As a result, Bridegeford decided to pause his offensive and send the 15th Brigade along with a tank squadron to Toko to reinforce his perimeter. On March 28 and 29, before Akinaga's main assault, the Japanese conducted a series of raids on the Australian lines of communication and rear areas, all of which were successfully repelled by vigilant defenders. On March 30, the 13th Regiment launched several strong attacks against the 25th Battalion, all of which were costly for the attackers and repelled, while the armored squadron advanced toward Tokinotu. Just as the tanks reached the front, the Japanese initiated another wave of fierce attacks against the 25th Battalion on March 31, which were thankfully repelled with the support of the armored units. Consequently, on April 1, two companies advanced again, establishing a perimeter 1,000 yards south of Slater's Knoll. That evening, and for the following three days, Akinaga launched a series of raids to facilitate the arrival of the 23rd Regiment for a renewed assault. In the early hours of April 5, the Japanese began infiltrating the Australian perimeter, launching a vigorous two-pronged assault on Slater's Knoll later that morning. The 23rd Regiment attacked about 1,000 yards to the right of the 13th and north-east of it. The attack failed, Kawano was killed and the regiment withdrew south to the rear of the 13th. The 13th Regiment with 600 men made the main attack from north and east.  Until 6.20 a.m. wave after wave charged forward and was brought low. Some Japanese fell within four yards of the weapon-pits. The artillery sent over accurate defensive fire, registered the previous day. At dawn the surviving Japanese were heard digging in on dead ground. As the light became clearer, the Australians saw that "enemy dead lay, literally, in heaps in front of the wire", and bodies could be seen scattered over an area some 200 yards square. It was gruesome evidence of the efficient siting of weapons and choice of fields of fire in preparation for expected attack. The attackers were ordered to dig in until darkness and make full use of grenades and mortars. However, in the afternoon, tanks and artillery fire drove the Japanese from the positions they had gained, and the Japanese commander accepted defeat. All three battalion commanders in the 13th were killed. After Akinaga had reported his failure Kanda said to his Chief of Staff, Colonel Yoshiyuki Ejima: "It would not have happened if I had been in command. The enemy right flank was wide open. I would have severed his life line and controlled Toko. We could have delayed the enemy for three months."  Concurrently, around 100 Japanese troops attacked the two forward companies along the Buin Road but were similarly repelled with ease. Following the unsuccessful counteroffensive by Akinaga, Slater's Knoll received reinforcements while the remaining Japanese forces were being dealt with, resulting in 620 Japanese fatalities since March 28, compared to 189 Australian casualties. However, Bridgeford could not capitalize on this victory due to the prolonged supply line, which temporarily halted his offensive. As a result, while the 2/8th Commando Squadron moved forward along the Commando Road, the 13th Brigade began to relieve the battered 7th Brigade under Field on April 13. Meanwhile, in the northern sector of the 11th Brigade area, the 26th Battalion launched a significant advance northward on February 21, successfully overrunning the Lalum-Downs' Ridge area by March 8. Two companies then advanced further north to secure the crossing of the Nagam River. On March 13, another company landed near the southern edge of Soraken Plantation and quickly pushed the enemy back behind the Nagam. Australian patrols harassed the Japanese forces at Horseshoe Knoll until March 20, when they finally withdrew. Simultaneously, the 26th Battalion eliminated the remaining enemy positions at the Compton River and secured the Soraken Peninsula, while the Taiof and Saposa Islands were also captured off the coast. The next battalion to take over the forward positions was the 31st/51st Battalion. Perhaps the outstanding patrol leader in the 31st/51st was Lieutenant Reiter, who led out 3 patrols which killed 10 out of the 78 Japanese killed by this battalion's forays. One of these patrols was named by the battalion "the raid on Reiter's Ridge". Reiter and 15 men were given the task of harassing the Japanese occupying a prominent ridge just east of Sisivie and discovering their strength. They departed from Keenan's Ridge at 17:30 on March 27, bivouacked at a former artillery observation post and moved on at 03:00 next morning for a dawn attack. At 06:00 “the patrol moved in, and throwing grenades and firing LMG occupied a small knoll (its report stated). 2 Japanese were killed and 1 pillbox containing LMG destroyed. Patrol raced down narrow neck to a wide clearing in which several huts were sighted. Phosphorus and HE grenades were thrown. In a matter of seconds 4 more Japanese killed (2 in slit trenches, 1 as he ran and another while abluting). 2 were wounded by phosphorus grenades. 3 huts were blazing and 1 (considered to be an ammunition dump) blew up. Enemy opened up with one LMG and 15 rifles and patrol pulled out with 1 man wounded.” Instead of hastening them away Reiter assembled his men nearby in concealment and watched the enemy. At length Japanese began to move about again, and soon they were washing clothes, chopping wood and performing other tasks. There were from 25 to 30 enemy in the post. The Australians watched throughout the morning and at 12:30 opened fire with all their weapons. 2 Japanese were killed and 4 more huts set on fire. The enemy fired back, and at 01:15 Reiter withdrew his men and returned to Keenan's Ridge leaving an ambush on the enemy's track. The ambush party returned later and reported that it had seen no movement.  On the 29th, the day after Reiter's return, a platoon of the 1st New Guinea Infantry Battalion under Lieutenant Martin set out for Buritsiotorara along the Wakunai River. There they found three huts and a large garden with seven Japanese moving about unarmed. Throwing grenades and firing from the hip the native soldiers attacked and killed all seven. Three more who emerged from a hut were chased and killed. Three of the dead men were found to be lieutenants; three machine-guns were cap-tured. Next day at Aviang, 1,200 yards away, seven more Japanese were seen, of whom three including another lieutenant were killed and the others fled. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. The battle for Iwo Jima had come to a bitter end. The lessons learnt on Iwo Jima would become guidelines for the Battle of Okinawa in April and would influence allied plans for the invasion of the Japanese home islands. The war planners would later notably take into account that around a third of the troops committed to Iwo Jima, and later again at Okinawa, had been killed or wounded and that they could expect far more in Japan.

They thought they booked a charming bed-and-breakfast in Eureka Springs—only to find themselves sharing their room with a colonial-era spirit who apparently never checked out. Between decorative pillows that refuse to stay put, faucets that develop free will, and a mysterious voice whispering names nobody recognizes, it's safe to say this wasn't the relaxing weekend they bargained for. If you have a real ghost story or supernatural event to report, please write into our show or call 1-855-853-4802! If you like the show, please help keep us on the air and support the show by becoming a Premium Subscriber.  Subscribe here: http://www.ghostpodcast.com/?page_id=118 or at or at http://www.patreon.com/realghoststories Watch more at: http://www.realghoststoriesonline.com/ Follow Tony: Instagram: HTTP://www.instagram.com/tonybrueski TikToc: https://www.tiktok.com/@tonybrueski Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tony.brueski 

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – talks with Ralph Adamo – President & CEO of Integrity Wealth Management – about his role and impressive work as the founder of Orange County's Chapter of Advisors in Philanthropy and board member of The International Association of Advisors in Philanthropy, where he helped create a platform to help financial professionals engage in meaningful conversations with clients about philanthropy, addressing the often-underserved needs of those looking to leverage philanthropic tax codes in Southern California and across the nation. Continuing to explore Ralph's passion for developing meaningful and impactful dialogue around overall financial planning for families, the conversation then turns to Ralph's proprietary WealthTrac™ FORMula, designed to provide clients with a collective experience and creative strategies to achieve lifelong financial goals. He emphasizes the importance of expanding knowledge beyond traditional strengths to become a trusted, first-call advisor. Building on this philosophy, Ralph authored Integrity @ Work, a roadmap for selecting the right financial advisor and the right advisory firm—using the integrity process to pinpoint true north. Ralph also highlights how the principles of integrity shape leadership, client trust, and long-term success—a theme reflected in his podcast, The Power of Integrity. His philosophy compliments and aligns closely with Bridgeford's commitment to providing independent, conflict-free solutions that that resonate deeply with families seeking clarity and confidence in their financial planning.

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with Jonathan Williams – Partner at Summit Trail Advisors. Jon's team specializes in working with business owners, entrepreneurs, executives, and private foundations to create tailored financial strategies, acting as an outsourced family office. Their personalized approach, combined with a sophisticated investment process, brings portfolios to life through a unique interaction that is the foundation of their boutique investment process. Their discussion explores the shift toward independent, conflict-free solutions in wealth management nationally, comparing models like Summit Trail and Bridgeford. As privately held firms, both are free from the constraints of institutionalized domestic and international conglomerates, fulfilling their fiduciary duty and creating the opportunity to offer clients a broader range of options, including alternative situses for trust planning, investment opportunities beyond public markets, and access to asset managers outside of captive structures. As they conclude, Jon shares insights into the current economic climate, discussing the political and geopolitical pressures facing families and the heightened anxiety around wealth protection. He also offers his refreshingly positive perspective on volatility as an asset class, the spread between implied and actual market fears, and why – despite the uncertainty – existing systems provide reasons for optimism.

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with David Hammarberg, Partner at McKonly & Asbury. David Hammarberg has been an integral part of Bridgeford's family of companies from the start, serving as our outsourced IT Director. With his extensive expertise in information technology, cybersecurity, and overall company security, he has played a crucial role in shaping our approach to protecting sensitive data. Listen in as they explore how data leaks, such as the Pandora Papers, and the rise of cyber threats have transformed the IT industry. Drawing on David Hammarberg's insights, they discuss how Bridgeford has navigated these challenges, focusing on key issues like social engineering, employee training (or the lack thereof), and vendor management. Bridgeford's commitment to protecting client privacy is reinforced by our decision to establish our trust charter in South Dakota, a state known for its strong trust privacy laws. This episode concludes with a discussion on how Bridgeford leverages both South Dakota fiduciary law and cutting-edge cybersecurity measures. David Hammarberg shares industry best practices, the ongoing evolution of cybersecurity, and strategies for maintaining a balance between efficient business operations and robust security protocols.

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder and Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with previous guest, Geralda Kral – Managing Director and Group Partner at UMA Wealth (Switzerland) AG, a private client and family wealth consultancy group. Joining them is a new guest to our podcast, Michael Donev – Private Banking Advisor at BFI Infinity Inc., an independent Swiss investment advisory firm. Together, they offer an inside look at UMA and BFI and the comprehensive wealth planning and internationally diversified investment portfolio services they offer to ultra-high-net-worth families. The conversation takes a deep dive into asset protection and privacy, addressing common misconceptions heightened by recent events like the Pandora Papers and regulatory developments such as Common Reporting Standard (CRS) and the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). As the discussion unfolds, listeners gain insights into how Bridgeford, UMA, and BFI collaborate to provide a multi-jurisdictional solution tailored to each client's unique needs as they look to diversify their wealth planning with a combination of international and U.S. trust structures, as well as attain the truest form of asset protection. Geralda and Michael conclude by offering practical suggestions for families seeking stability and safety through diversification, highlighting the role of Switzerland and the expertise of our combined firms in navigating this process effectively.

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder & Chairman of Bridgeford Trust Company – announces the launch of Bridgeford Global, the newest addition to the Bridgeford family of companies. Operating as the worldwide planning entity within our family of companies, Bridgeford Global is poised to meet the evolving needs of international families and their advisors with innovative solutions and unmatched expertise. David also introduces Mariano Marco, Global Managing Director of Bridgeford Global, who will spearhead planning and business development initiatives in the international space, particularly Latin America, promoting Bridgeford Trust Company's expansive fiduciary planning and structuring capabilities. Listen in as David and Mariano discuss how Bridgeford Trust Company and Bridgeford Global are perfectly positioned to serve families globally as an international fiduciary provider that is big enough to matter, but small enough to care.

Today on the You Can Heal Your Life podcast, you'll hear an excerpt from The Alkaline Life, the brand-new audiobook by health coach Ross Bridgeford. Ross introduces his comprehensive plan for maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle, emphasizing the importance of trusting your body's natural ability to heal and thrive. The book is a step-by-step guide to effortlessly incorporate alkaline living, focusing on foundational principles, debunking myths, and addressing common health challenges through a “14-day Alkaline Life Plan.” If you enjoy this excerpt, you can listen to the full audiobook FREE with a trial of the Empower You Unlimited Audio App.  To download it today, visit hayhouse.com/empoweryou.

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2023.04.02.532875v1?rss=1 Authors: Chung, J., Bridgeford, E. W., Powell, M., Vogelstein, J. T. Abstract: The heritability of human connectomes is crucial for understanding the genetic and environmental factors that influence variations in connectomes, which can provide insights into behavior and disease. However, current approaches to studying connectome heritability assume an associational effect and often rely on modeling assumptions that may not hold true for complex, high-dimensional connectome data. In this study, we propose a causal perspective to investigate connectome heritability, using statistical models that capture the underlying structure and dependence within connectomes. These models allow us to explicitly define different notions of connectomic heritability by removing common structures with increasing complexity across connectomes. We develop a non-parametric test to detect and test for these notions of heritability and apply it to connectomes estimated from the Human Connectome Project (HCP) diffusion data, demonstrating their heritability after accounting for confounding variables such as brain anatomy, age, and sex. This work highlights the potential of using statistical modeling of networks and causal methods to study connectome heritability, ultimately providing a better understanding of the genomic influences on brain connectivity. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info Podcast created by Paper Player, LLC

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder/Chairman of the Board of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with guests from Copper Beech Financial Group, including John Parise, Managing Partner, and Michael Parise, Supervisory Principal. During their conversation, we learn more about Copper Beech's mission to help families protect, preserve, and grow their wealth. Copper Beech acts as a family CFO and provides family office services that focus on tax efficiency, asset protection, and family governance and our conversation dives into these services and how the shift of paradigm in which Bridgeford and Copper Beech similarly operate in represents the future of wealth management. We also encourage you to check out Copper Beech's podcast, “The Truth About Wealth” at https://thetruthaboutwealth.blubrry.net/ as John and Michael guide listeners through eye-opening questions to help discover the truth about their wealth.

A Chinese company's purchase of farmland in North Dakota just down the road from a US Air Force base that houses sensitive drone technology has lawmakers on Capitol Hill worried about potential espionage by Beijing, according to a report. Fufeng Group, a Shandong, China-based company that specializes in flavor enhancers and sugar substitutes, recently purchased 300 acres of farmland near Grand Forks, North Dakota, a rural area that lies about a 90-minute drive from the Canadian border. Grand Forks is also 40 miles away from Grafton, North Dakota, where a limited liability company believed to be controlled by billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates recently paid $13 million for thousands of acres of potato farmland, causing a stir among locals. Three North Dakotans sold the land to Fufeng Group for $2.6 million, according to CNBC. Like the Gates-linked purchase, the sale of local farmland to a Chinese company sparked a visceral reaction, according to one of the sellers, Gary Bridgeford. That's because the land is just a 20-minute drive from Grand Forks Air Force Base, which is believed to be the home of some of the country's most sophisticated military drone technology. Bridgeford told CNBC that some locals planted signs on his front yard condemning the transaction. “I've been threatened,” he said. “I've been called every name in the book for selling property.” Another local business owner, however, said the fears are justified. Craig Spicer, who runs a trucking company adjacent to the new Chinese-owned land, told CNBC: “It makes me feel nervous for my grandkids. It makes me feel nervous for my kids.” Bridgeford insists that fears the Chinese government would use the area as a staging point for espionage operations are unfounded. “How would they gain any knowledge of the base?” he asked. “It's about 12 miles away. It isn't like its next door.” Bridgeford added: “People hear the China stuff and there's concern.” “But everyone has a phone in their pocket that was probably made in China. Where do you draw the line?” Fufeng Group said it is planning to use the land to build a $700 million corn milling plant that would create at least 200 jobs as well as residual opportunities for logistics, trucking, and other services. But US military officials are raising the alarm nonetheless. Senior Air Force officers circulated a memo in April warning that the presence of Fufeng Group in Grand Forks, a town of just 60,000 people, was a national security threat. “Some of the most sensitive elements of Grand Forks exist with the digital uplinks and downlinks inherent with unmanned air systems and their interaction with space-based assets,” wrote US Air Force Maj. Jeremy Fox. A Chinese firm with close proximity to such data “would present a costly national security risk causing grave damage to United States' strategic advantages.” Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) has also expressed opposition to the presence of Fufeng Group, which he views as a front for the Chinese government. “I think we grossly under appreciate how effective they are at collecting information, collecting data, using it in nefarious ways,” Cramer told CNBC. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/world-voices/support

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder/Chairman of the Board of Bridgeford Trust Company – sits down with guest, Tate Johnson – President & Chief Operating Officer at Brook-Hollow – to discuss the evolution of Brook-Hollow and their creative and industry leading tax planning and deferral programs for mass tort and plaintiff's attorneys who receive large contingent legal fee payments. As they discuss this unique planning solution, David and Tate explore Bridgeford's partnership with Brook-Hollow and how the work we do together allows for powerful South Dakota modern trust law concepts, such as asset protection, foreign grantor trusts, directed trusts, and privacy, to be integrated into the planning process, resulting in an even more compelling and sophisticated solution for these attorneys.

On today's episode, we are rejoined by our friend Gage Bridgford to talk about the NBA Playoffs, and the state of the Dallas Mavericks. We also figure out whether the Nuggets have enough to win the Western Conference next year, and the state of the Phoenix Suns. We also discuss Giannis and the Bucks, some of the NBA free agency chatter, LeBron and KD, and MORE!!! I also discuss the 2022 NBA Draft rumors within 24 hours of the Draft, and how Kyrie Irving might be ready to give the Los Angeles Lakers the ultimate "get out of jail free" card CKSAML Productions This show is presented by BetOnline Sportsbook. Use Code “BLEAV” for a 50% bonus on your initial deposit

We're joined on this week's episode of CP Radio by Chris Bridgeford! Chris is the owner of Generation Strength Gym in Vancouver, WA, as well as an elite powerlifter in the 242 weight class. With a 2,000+ lb raw total and a blooming business, you might think it difficult to manage being such a high level competitor as well as business owner. Yet, Chris is still crushing both! Listen in to hear how he is able to manage it. For more on Chris, check him out on Instagram or at Generation Strength.

Melissa Bridgeford, co-founder & CEO of Wizard Commerce, talks with Scott and Nora about her AI-driven conversational commerce startup and the future of retail. Plus: A look at the emergence of text-based and voice-based shopping, and the AI technology behind it.

On today's episode, Gage Bridgford and I discuss the drama with the Jokic Brothers, making a fake Twitter account to tell the Morris bros to step outside, and other amazing Twitter Accounts. We also discuss Dak vs Kyler in the NFC Playoffs, figuring out who's good and who's not in the AFC/NFC Wild Cards, and what to do with the Ravens and Bills. I also discuss Odell Beckham signing with the Rams, and the Packers' ability to strongarm Aaron Rodgers this offseason. @ComicalSports______This show is presented by BetOnline Sportsbook. Use Code "BLEAV50" for a 50% bonus on your initial depositSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Understanding the impact and vital importance of true and accurate information regarding the recent release of the Pandora Papers, Bridgeford Trust Company – in an effort to tell the rest of the story and clarify the facts – organized and produced this very timely and informational podcast with Terry Prendergast, one of South Dakota's leading and most prolific trusts and estates and trust company attorneys with Davenport Evans. In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder/Chairman of the Board of Bridgeford Trust Company and President/CEO of Bridgeford – sits down with Terry for a discussion that cuts through the untruths and hyperbole disseminated by both the Pandora Papers publication and media coverage regarding the South Dakota trust industry.

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Bridgeford Trust Company and President/CEO of Bridgeford – sits down with guest, Jeana Goosmann – Attorney, CEO, Founder and Managing Partner of Goosmann Law Firm – for a discussion on Jeana's role as “The CEO's Attorney.” Jeana's legal business and litigation experience guide CEOs through their most important legal matters, helping them make the wisest business decisions the law can offer, making her legal advice sought after by the most successful CEOs. David and Jeana go on to discuss their common passion for South Dakota law, the power and stability of that state's unique trust laws, and the importance of international expertise in South Dakota. As they conclude, it's easy to hear their shared entrepreneurial spirit as they offer thoughts on the desire to help South Dakota stay on top of issues that are at the forefront of the industry, and in turn, assisting clients across the country and around the world as the industry navigates new matters that didn't exist years ago. Adding to Jeana's accomplishments, she is also an author and frequent speaker. Be sure to check out her book, "Worth It: Business Leaders: Ready. Execute. Deliver." and visit her website (https://goosmannlaw.com/attorneys/jeana-l-goosmann/) to learn more about Goosmann Law Firm and to listen to her podcast, Law Talk with the Flock.

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Bridgeford Trust Company and President/CEO of Bridgeford - announces the creation and launch of Bridgeford International, a sister company operating globally to promote the power of U.S. modern trust law and sophisticated planning solutions for international families. David also introduces Helmer Arizmendy who has joined the Bridgeford Team to lead Bridgeford International as President focusing on Bridgeford's worldwide expansion, with a focus on Latin American(LATAM) countries. Listen in as David and Helmer discuss our expansion, Helmer's role, and the launch of Bridgeford International.

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Bridgeford Trust Company and President/CEO of Bridgeford – sits down with guest, Dr. Thomas Dieters – President of Charitable Gift America (CGA) – for a detailed discussion on philanthropic planning, including the complexities and challenges people face, and how CGA's services and partnership with Bridgeford Trust Company has simplified this elite level of planning.

In this episode, David Warren - Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Bridgeford Trust Company and President/CEO of Bridgeford – sits down with guests Nancy Golding - Global Chair of STEP – and Ceci Hassan - Chair of STEP Miami. During this discussion, we learn more about STEP and STEP Miami and their great success in inspiring confidence in families planning for their futures. David, Nancy, and Ceci go on to discuss global hot topics and the future vision for STEP, both globally and in the U.S.

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Bridgeford Trust Company and President/CEO of Bridgeford – sits down with guest, Ann Zuraw – President of Zuraw Financial Advisors – for a discussion on her background and how it has shaped her firm’s investment strategy, values and commitment to serving and empowering women to take active roles in their own financial future. David and Ann also discuss modern trust laws and the unique advantages that South Dakota trusts present in terms of security and privacy as well as taxation and overall flexibility.

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Bridgeford Trust Company and President/CEO of Bridgeford – sits down with guest, Martín Litwak – Founder and CEO of Untitled. Martín is a lawyer, entrepreneur, author, speaker and experienced subject matter expert and this episode explores his work with international families and wealth structuring, wealth preservation, and fund structuring. Martín is also CEO of Smart Structuring, a blockchain interface that allows trustees to save and manage trusts in a secure, perpetual and transparent way and this episode discusses this intriguing solution to privacy concerns in the trust industry.

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Bridgeford Trust Company and President/CEO of Bridgeford – sits down with guest, Christian Graham – Director of Relationship Management at GlobeTax – for a discussion on foreign tax recovery and the specialized services GlobeTax provides to enable all financial industry participants to benefit from the recovery of over-withheld taxes.

Do you want to know what are effective self help techniques that you can apply if you suffer from Chronic Pain? Learn with my friend Chris Bridgeford.Chris was born and bred in Forres in Moray, Scotland and has lived there all his life. He was educated at Applegrove Primary School and Forres Academy after which he joined Bank of Scotland in 1976 then took early medical retirement in 1995.In the 1980s he presented monthly and weekly radio shows with local radio station Moray Firth Radio, one show was one of the first Computer Shows in the country where the broadcast home-made computer programs over the airwaves (all those screechy sounds on tape for those old enough to remember). The second weekly show was for three hours on a Saturday evening with music and competitions and the third was a monthly show which featured only obscure album tracks taking it in turn with three other presenters. He was a member of Forres Community Council from 1990 – 2000 serving as Secretary and Chairman of the Planning Committee. He has also been Secretary of Forres In Bloom, Forres Golf Course Board of Management and finally, The Friends of Falconer Museum for twelve years. He formed Affa Sair in 2015 after emerging from a period of depression due to chronic pain.He was granted Burgess of The Royal Burgh of Forres for his service to the local community. This is an ancient historical award which allows Burgesses to drive their livestock through the High Street etc; Chris is a self-confessed computer nerd with Apple Macs being his preferred system after he got bored with Windows in the early 2000s.He first experienced chronic pain in 1978 when he was diagnosed with Sacroiliitis, thereafter Ankylosing Spondylitis. He never conformed to the medical books of the day and after much to-ing and fro-ing and disbelief, he was eventually diagnosed in 2004 with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Along with this came Allodynia and Costochondritis, in 1995 Chris had an aortal-femoral bypass on his left leg and angioplasty on his right. He had to have his gallbladder removed through a cholecystectomy and there followed numerous incisional hernia repairs with the one in 2004 where things went badly wrong and he lost 9 units of blood and nearly his life. There followed numerous bouts of depression until 2014 when things got better. During that time he also developed Diabetes now controlled by insulin and tablets. Sadly, 3 TIA’s in two days and possible heart disease joined his other ailments. He always says he’s had an “interesting” life.With his confidence and vocabulary returned, Chris decided to form an on-line support group for chronic pain sufferers and to try to get pain services restored at Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin. So on 14 th April 2015 Affa Sair was born. The initiative was very successful with pain services restored on 3 rd March 2016. This saved chronic pain sufferers having to travel all the way to Aberdeen – a round tip of 140 miles which left sufferers in extra pain for days after the appointment.Affa Sair now has 481 members, has been mentioned a few times in First Ministers Questions at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh and frequently engages with many MSPs from all Political Parties. Just before the Covid-19 pandemic struck Affa Sair had been instrumental in getting £500,000 for NHS Grampian to improve their Pain Services from the Public Health Minister.

In this episode, David Warren – Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Bridgeford Trust Company and President/CEO of Bridgeford – sits down with guest, Jamie Vrijhof-Droese – Managing Partner at WHVP – for a discussion on WHVP’s origins, focus, and services as well as their work with U.S. citizens. David and Jamie go on to discuss the COVID crisis and its impact on their investment approach.

In this episode, David Warren - Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Bridgeford Trust Company and President/CEO of Bridgeford - sits down with guests from Cresset Capital Management, Avy Stein - Founder and Co-Chairman - and Sarah Simon - Director, Wealth Strategist and Wealth Advisor – for a discussion around Cresset’s vision on reinventing wealth management, and, very much like Bridgeford, embracing a totally new wealth management paradigm. This episode also explores how Cresset leads with planning and surrounds clients with a full team to serve them and offer big ideas such as South Dakota’s trust capabilities in terms of tax planning, asset protection, and modern trust laws.

David talks about Bridgeford‘s independent boutique approach, how to select a US trust jurisdiction and why South Dakota is the best option. You can learn more about Bridgeford by visiting their website: www.bridgefordtrust.com.

For most of her adult life, Erricka Bridgeford has worked to bring peace to the streets of Baltimore. From advocating to repeal Maryland’s death penalty in 2009 to founding the Baltimore Ceasefire initiative in 2017, Bridgeford’s focus is on fighting violence with compassion, understanding, and inclusiveness. In 2017, she was named Marylander of the Year by the Baltimore Sun.

Everything that we put into our bodies affects our health – for better or worse. Join Ross Bridgeford as he discusses the Alkaline Cleanse, and how you can reset your full-body wellness today.  Continue your journey to wellness with unlimited access to over 400 audiobooks, meditations, immersive learning programs, and podcasts. Try the Hay House Unlimited Audio App FREE for 7 days: hayhouse.com/podcast 

This week's keto and low-carb favorite snack centers around beef jerky. I talk about the different types you can expect to find (jerky pieces, sticks, bars and pieces) as there's one that I'm sure will fit your liking. This is an amazingly low-carb snack option that has a great shelf life and also works great as an on the go snack if you're traveling!Bridgeford:https://amzn.to/3hLA33nMission Meats:https://amzn.to/2BIUfDSSome previous episodes mentioned in this cast:Ep. 9 - How to read an ingredient label part 2Ep. 17 - Product Review: Syrups!Please check out my Patreon page and consider subscribing for some cool thank yous:https://www.patreon.com/lowcarbhacks

In this episode, David Warren - Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Bridgeford Trust Company and President/CEO of Bridgeford - sits down with guest, William Blum - Partner and International Tax and Business Lawyer at Solomon Blum Heymann - for a discussion on his experience and expertise on the Virgin Islands as a tax haven and its asset protection capabilities, as well as the impact of CRS and FACTA. William also speaks on the influx of international families coming to America and how it has impacted his practice.

On this episode of 2 White Lights, we were joined by Chris Bridgeford (@bridgeford242). We discussed how gym owners and goers should respond to the coronavirus, alternatives for lifters who don't have access to gyms, and how it will affect lifters/coaches/gym owners (4:01-27:46). We also discussed his training post injury, how it affected him mentally, and if he's going to get back on the platform again (27:58-53:35). Chris also explained the biggest issues he sees in the sport including the amount of federations and irresponsible supplement use (53:40-93:33)

In this episode, David Warren - Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Bridgeford Trust Company and President/CEO of Bridgeford - sits down with guest, Gideon Rothschild - Partner and Co-Chair of Moses & Singer’s Trusts and Estates and Asset Protection practices - for an intriguing discussion on asset protection, including the debate among practitioners, domestic vs offshore asset protection, as well as the factors, issues and planning strategies available to international families in the United States.

Tom is joined in the studio by Erricka Bridgeford, co-organizer of Baltimore Ceasefire 365. Since August 2017, the grass-roots group has organized hundreds of events to bring people together to reduce lethal violence in Baltimore. It is calling for another Ceasefire this coming weekend, from Friday, February 7 through Sunday, February 9, during which it encourages community actions aimed at “promoting peacefulness and celebrating life.” A big part of Bridgeford's work is standing in witness and comforting both victims and perpetrators of violence, as well as their families and friends. Every week here on Midday we also make it a point to remember those who were killed, and their families and friends in their hour of grief. We get their names from Ellen Worthing, who compiles a list of Baltimore homicide victims. We also consult the Baltimore Sun’s list of homicides, and victim identifications posted on the Baltimore Police Department’s Facebook page. So far this year, 28 people in Baltimore have lost their lives to violence. Four people were killed last week. They are: Malik Samuels, age 42. Everette Williams, age 34. Jerrod Crim, age 32, and Richard Walker, age 58. This conversation was livestreamed on WYPR's Facebook page. You can watch the video here.

In this episode, David Warren - Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Bridgeford Trust Company and President/CEO of Bridgeford - sits down with guest Marty Jackley - current Partner at Gunderson, Palmer, Nelson, and Ashmore, who has also served as South Dakota’s Attorney General, United States Attorney for South Dakota, and Chairman of the Nation’s Attorneys General. David and Marty’s discussion includes background on his work as a prosecutor, Marty’s campaign for Governor of South Dakota, as well as his Supreme Court Practice with Wayfair and work on the Kaestner case.

In this episode, David Warren - Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Bridgeford Trust Company and President/CEO of Bridgeford - sits down with guest Dr. Daniel Kim - Founder and President of Sweetwater Digital Asset Consulting, LLC - for an intriguing discussion on cryptocurrency, including the history of this asset class and how to identify a quality cryptocurrency project. This episode also includes Dr. Kim’s take on the research and advisory services available that provide investors guidance in considering cryptocurrency exposure for their portfolios.

Erricka Bridgeford is a co-creator of Baltimore Ceasefire 365, an organization that seeks to end homicides in the city. The group organizes quarterly ceasefire weekends, asking Baltimoreans to handle conflict nonviolently while celebrating life and sharing resources. They also practice healing rituals at the sites of homicides and offer support to the surviving friends and families of homicide victims. Bridgeford spoke to Future City producer Mark Gunnery for a special podcast extra to accompany this month’s episode "Baltimore’s Different”: Gangs, Youth, And Violence Interruption.

Tom is joined in the studio now by Erricka Bridgeford, the co-founder of Baltimore Ceasefire 365, and Letrice Gant, the group's co-organizer.The group’s mission: the cessation of murder in Baltimore City for one weekend, four times a year.The first Baltimore Ceasefire weekend was held in August, 2017. The latest Ceasefire was this past weekend, Nov 1st to 3rd. At this writing, Baltimore police have reported that three men were shot over the weekend, one fatally.Since the death of Freddie Gray in police custody four and a half years ago, more than one thousand, five hundred thirty people have lost their lives to violence in our city. Ms. Bridgeford and Ms. Gant and Baltimore Ceasefire participants have acknowledged many of those victims, their families, and the people who made the decisions to kill them.This conversation was livestreamed on WYPR's Facebook page. Watch the video here.

Post match reaction from Head coach Ben after today’s defeat

My NERDZ, on this latest episode of the Nerds Who Lift Podcast I talk to two of the Pacific North West's strongest folk: Chris Bridgeford & Brianny Terry of Generation Strength in Vancouver Washington. Chris is a monster in the sport both as an athlete and coach, and Bri, under Chris' coaching, has been making waves and still growing after hitting an all time world record deadlift at her last meet in the 165 women's weight class. It. was. EPIC. So we talk about bad training days, bri throwing fits, training for the long game and sub maximally, and Bri said she would make me Peach cobbler so i'm putting here for record so she will do it. :) It was a great time, we hit it off, and I am going to take up their offer to come visit eat and lift with them soon. Take notes they do share a lot of great info to remember. So kick back and tune in to the freshest episode of...the Nerds Who Lift Podcast. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode, David Warren - Chairman of the Board/Co-Founder of Bridgeford Trust Company and President/CEO of Bridgeford - sits down with guest Jonathan Gopman - Partner and Chair of Akerman's Trusts and Estates Practice - for part 2 of our discussion focused on the international trust space including asset protection, cryptocurrency, privacy concerns, and more.

Chris Bridgeford joins KOTL to discuss with 6 Pack Lapadat the up coming battles of the US Open!

In Episode 54 we talk to elite powerlifter Chris Bridgeford, one of the top lifters in the 242 and 275 pound classes. We get into his best performance to date at Record Breakers and how he accomplished it. We talk a little bit about dealing with anxiety and what he has learned from the top coaches he has worked with. We also take a look at his programming style. Subscribe to iTunes, Stitcher, and Soundcloud at Beyond the Platform. Please leave a review and a 5-star rating on iTunes.

In one day, in one city, in one neighborhood -- what if everyone put their guns down? Erricka Bridgeford is a peacemaker who wants to stop the murders and violence in her hometown of Baltimore. So she helped organize the Baltimore Ceasefire, a grassroots campaign to keep the peace. In a passionate, personal talk, Bridgeford tells the story of the Ceasefire movement and their bigger vision for zero murders in Baltimore. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

un día, en una ciudad, en un vecindario, ¿qué pasaría si todos bajaran sus armas? Erricka Bridgeford es una pacificadora que quiere acabar con los asesinatos y la violencia de su ciudad natal, Baltimore. Así que ayudó a organizar el Alto el Fuego de Baltimore, una campaña fundamental para mantener la paz. En una charla apasionada y personal, Bridgeford cuenta la historia del movimiento Alto el Fuego y su visión más amplia para conseguir cero asesinatos en Baltimore.

Em um dia, em uma cidade, em um bairro, e se todas as pessoas baixassem suas armas? Erricka Bridgeford é uma pacifista que quer parar os assassinatos e a violência em sua cidade natal de Baltimore. Ela ajudou a organizar o Cessar-Fogo em Baltimore, uma campanha fundamental para manter a paz. Com uma palestra emotiva e pessoal, Bridgeford conta a história do movimento Cessar-Fogo e sua grande visão para acabar com os assassinatos em Baltimore.

In one day, in one city, in one neighborhood -- what if everyone put their guns down? Erricka Bridgeford is a peacemaker who wants to stop the murders and violence in her hometown of Baltimore. So she helped organize the Baltimore Ceasefire, a grassroots campaign to keep the peace. In a passionate, personal talk, Bridgeford tells the story of the Ceasefire movement and their bigger vision for zero murders in Baltimore.

Our guest today is one of the co-founders and guiding forces of the new Baltimore Ceasefire 365 movement which is fiercely determined to turn around the City’s homicide rates through a grassroots initiative to promote new ways of thinking and being that honor life-affirming activities and interactions, peace, and connection to each other.  Baltimore Ceasefire’s successes have come from a collective consciousness that the cycle of killing CAN be broken and the power to do it lies in our OWN hands. We are joined today by the incomparable, Erricka Bridgeford – named by the Baltimore Sun as its 2017 Marylander of the Year. Her words are laser incisions in your heart space, opening you to a deeper connection to your inner wisdom and spiritual promptings to show up in the world to make a difference.  Bridgeford is a kindred spirit to Soul Force Politics, as she wields significant influence to teach others how to bring their hearts into their civic actions. I’m excited about what she will awaken in you today. Podcast Episodes | Soul Force

  Welcome to MR, the podcast for beginners and insiders about the ideas, people and movements who have shaped rhetorical history. I’m Mary Hedengren and a big thanks to the Humanities Media Project at the University of Texas for support for this show. Also thanks to Jacob in the booth. Today, All Hallow’s Eve is upon us and it’s been a long time since I attempted some terrible British accents, which means it’s time for the Mere Rhetoric HALLOWEEN SPECIAL [thunder sounds? Screeching cat? What have you.] But first, some background.   When you’re asked to give a description of what rhetoric is, as we did in our very first episode, What is Rhetoric?, you might say something like, “It’s the use of words to persuade someone,” and you would imagine someone in a toga standing around on a rostom shout-talking at people, but that’s not exactly all rhetoric is. Remember Kenneth Burke’s definition of rhetoric: that we can “influence each other's thinking and behavior through the strategic use of symbols.” Even Aristotle says that rhetoric is about discovering the available means of persuasion. Verbal or alphabetic rhetoric is only one of those available means of persuasion. Visual rhetoric is another.   As you might suspect, visual rhetoric focuses on other kinds of symbols than just words. Visual rhetoricians might interrogate the influence on other people of war posters, cartoons, even the layout of airport security. But visual rhetoric isn’t just about the object of study.   Sonja Foss puts it this way:   Visual rhetoric refers not only to the visual object as a communicative artifact but also to a perspective scholars take on visual imagery or visual data. In this meaning of the term, visual rhetoric constitutes a theoretical perspective that involves the analysis of the symbolic or communicative aspects of visual artifacts. It is a critical-analytical tool or a way of approaching and analyzing visual data that highlights the communicative dimensions of images or objects (305-306)   As you might imagine, visual rhetoric opens up a lot of possiblities for scholars. And those scholars will need more theories of how to approach that those artifacts. Foss herself suggests that critics look first at the elements of the object, then   Kostelnick and Roberts create canons of visual rhetoric [what do you think? The cannon sound again?] Really? As I was saying, these canons of visual rehtoric  parallel the classical canons of rhetoric. these canons can be remembered by the British-inspired acronym CACE-TE, but you have to be creative with your spelling the first C stand for Clarity, or ease of understanding for the reader. A stands for arrangement, how the visual elements are laid out; the second C (I told you that you had to be creative in how you spell CACE) is for concision with nothing extraneous; the E is for emphasis. TE is also spelled poorly: T for tone--sarcastic or sincere, loving or rageful and E for ethos--demonstrating good will for the reader. Clarity, Arrangement, Concision, Emphasis Tone, Ethos: Cake and tea. Do you know what else is british? M. R. James ghost stories. And this year’s story demonstrates the dark side of looking too deeply into visual artifacts. And so, without futher aido, M. R. James’ 1904 story, “The Mezzotint.” Some time ago I believe I had the pleasure of telling you the story of an adventure which happened to a friend of mine by the name of Dennistoun, during his pursuit of objects of art for the museum at Cambridge.   He did not publish his experiences very widely upon his return to England; but they could not fail to become known to a good many of his friends, and among others to the gentleman who at that time presided over an art museum at another University. It was to be expected that the story should make a considerable impression on the mind of a man whose vocation lay in lines similar to Dennistoun’s, and that he should be eager to catch at any explanation of the matter which tended to make it seem improbable that he should ever be called upon to deal with so agitating an emergency. It was, indeed, somewhat consoling to him to reflect that he was not expected to acquire ancient MSS. for his institution; that was the business of the Shelburnian Library. The authorities of that institution might, if they pleased, ransack obscure corners of the Continent for such matters. He was glad to be obliged at the moment to confine his attention to enlarging the already unsurpassed collection of English topographical drawings and engravings possessed by his museum. Yet, as it turned out, even a department so homely and familiar as this may have its dark corners, and to one of these Mr Williams was unexpectedly introduced.   Those who have taken even the most limited interest in the acquisition of topographical pictures are aware that there is one London dealer whose aid is indispensable to their researches. Mr J. W. Britnell publishes at short intervals very admirable catalogues of a large and constantly changing stock of engravings, plans, and old sketches of mansions, churches, and towns in England and Wales. These catalogues were, of course, the ABC of his subject to Mr Williams: but as his museum already contained an enormous accumulation of topographical pictures, he was a regular, rather than a copious, buyer; and he rather looked to Mr Britnell to fill up gaps in the rank and file of his collection than to supply him with rarities.   Now, in February of last year there appeared upon Mr Williams’s desk at the museum a catalogue from Mr Britnell’s emporium, and accompanying it was a typewritten communication from the dealer himself. This latter ran as follows:   Dear Sir,   We beg to call your attention to No. 978 in our accompanying catalogue, which we shall be glad to send on approval.   Yours faithfully,   W. Britnell.   To turn to No. 978 in the accompanying catalogue was with Mr. Williams (as he observed to himself) the work of a moment, and in the place indicated he found the following entry:   978.— Unknown. Interesting mezzotint: View of a manor-house, early part of the century. 15 by 10 inches; black frame. £2 2s.   It was not specially exciting, and the price seemed high. However, as Mr Britnell, who knew his business and his customer, seemed to set store by it, Mr Williams wrote a postcard asking for the article to be sent on approval, along with some other engravings and sketches which appeared in the same catalogue. And so he passed without much excitement of anticipation to the ordinary labours of the day.   A parcel of any kind always arrives a day later than you expect it, and that of Mr Britnell proved, as I believe the right phrase goes, no exception to the rule. It was delivered at the museum by the afternoon post of Saturday, after Mr Williams had left his work, and it was accordingly brought round to his rooms in college by the attendant, in order that he might not have to wait over Sunday before looking through it and returning such of the contents as he did not propose to keep. And here he found it when he came in to tea, with a friend.   The only item with which I am concerned was the rather large, black-framed mezzotint of which I have already quoted the short description given in Mr Britnell’s catalogue. Some more details of it will have to be given, though I cannot hope to put before you the look of the picture as clearly as it is present to my own eye. Very nearly the exact duplicate of it may be seen in a good many old inn parlours, or in the passages of undisturbed country mansions at the present moment. It was a rather indifferent mezzotint, and an indifferent mezzotint is, perhaps, the worst form of engraving known. It presented a full-face view of a not very large manor-house of the last century, with three rows of plain sashed windows with rusticated masonry about them, a parapet with balls or vases at the angles, and a small portico in the centre. On either side were trees, and in front a considerable expanse of lawn. The legend A. W. F. sculpsit was engraved on the narrow margin; and there was no further inscription. The whole thing gave the impression that it was the work of an amateur. What in the world Mr Britnell could mean by affixing the price of £2 2s. to such an object was more than Mr Williams could imagine. He turned it over with a good deal of contempt; upon the back was a paper label, the left-hand half of which had been torn off. All that remained were the ends of two lines of writing; the first had the letters — ngley Hall ; the second,— ssex .   It would, perhaps, be just worth while to identify the place represented, which he could easily do with the help of a gazetteer, and then he would send it back to Mr Britnell, with some remarks reflecting upon the judgement of that gentleman.   He lighted the candles, for it was now dark, made the tea, and supplied the friend with whom he had been playing golf (for I believe the authorities of the University I write of indulge in that pursuit by way of relaxation); and tea was taken to the accompaniment of a discussion which golfing persons can imagine for themselves, but which the conscientious writer has no right to inflict upon any non-golfing persons.   The conclusion arrived at was that certain strokes might have been better, and that in certain emergencies neither player had experienced that amount of luck which a human being has a right to expect. It was now that the friend — let us call him Professor Binks — took up the framed engraving and said:   ‘What’s this place, Williams?’   ‘Just what I am going to try to find out,’ said Williams, going to the shelf for a gazetteer. ‘Look at the back. Somethingley Hall, either in Sussex or Essex. Half the name’s gone, you see. You don’t happen to know it, I suppose?’   ‘It’s from that man Britnell, I suppose, isn’t it?’ said Binks. ‘Is it for the museum?’   ‘Well, I think I should buy it if the price was five shillings,’ said Williams; ‘but for some unearthly reason he wants two guineas for it. I can’t conceive why. It’s a wretched engraving, and there aren’t even any figures to give it life.’   ‘It’s not worth two guineas, I should think,’ said Binks; ‘but I don’t think it’s so badly done. The moonlight seems rather good to me; and I should have thought there were figures, or at least a figure, just on the edge in front.’   ‘Let’s look,’ said Williams. ‘Well, it’s true the light is rather cleverly given. Where’s your figure? Oh, yes! Just the head, in the very front of the picture.’   And indeed there was — hardly more than a black blot on the extreme edge of the engraving — the head of a man or woman, a good deal muffled up, the back turned to the spectator, and looking towards the house.   Williams had not noticed it before.   ‘Still,’ he said, ‘though it’s a cleverer thing than I thought, I can’t spend two guineas of museum money on a picture of a place I don’t know.’   Professor Binks had his work to do, and soon went; and very nearly up to Hall time Williams was engaged in a vain attempt to identify the subject of his picture. ‘If the vowel before the ng had only been left, it would have been easy enough,’ he thought; ‘but as it is, the name may be anything from Guestingley to Langley, and there are many more names ending like this than I thought; and this rotten book has no index of terminations.’   Hall in Mr Williams’s college was at seven. It need not be dwelt upon; the less so as he met there colleagues who had been playing golf during the afternoon, and words with which we have no concern were freely bandied across the table — merely golfing words, I would hasten to explain.   I suppose an hour or more to have been spent in what is called common-room after dinner. Later in the evening some few retired to Williams’s rooms, and I have little doubt that whist was played and tobacco smoked. During a lull in these operations Williams picked up the mezzotint from the table without looking at it, and handed it to a person mildly interested in art, telling him where it had come from, and the other particulars which we already know.   The gentleman took it carelessly, looked at it, then said, in a tone of some interest:   ‘It’s really a very good piece of work, Williams; it has quite a feeling of the romantic period. The light is admirably managed, it seems to me, and the figure, though it’s rather too grotesque, is somehow very impressive.’   ‘Yes, isn’t it?’ said Williams, who was just then busy giving whisky and soda to others of the company, and was unable to come across the room to look at the view again.   It was by this time rather late in the evening, and the visitors were on the move. After they went Williams was obliged to write a letter or two and clear up some odd bits of work. At last, some time past midnight, he was disposed to turn in, and he put out his lamp after lighting his bedroom candle. The picture lay face upwards on the table where the last man who looked at it had put it, and it caught his eye as he turned the lamp down. What he saw made him very nearly drop the candle on the floor, and he declares now if he had been left in the dark at that moment he would have had a fit. But, as that did not happen, he was able to put down the light on the table and take a good look at the picture. It was indubitable — rankly impossible, no doubt, but absolutely certain. In the middle of the lawn in front of the unknown house there was a figure where no figure had been at five o’clock that afternoon. It was crawling on all fours towards the house, and it was muffled in a strange black garment with a white cross on the back.   I do not know what is the ideal course to pursue in a situation of this kind, I can only tell you what Mr Williams did. He took the picture by one corner and carried it across the passage to a second set of rooms which he possessed. There he locked it up in a drawer, sported the doors of both sets of rooms, and retired to bed; but first he wrote out and signed an account of the extraordinary change which the picture had undergone since it had come into his possession.   Sleep visited him rather late; but it was consoling to reflect that the behaviour of the picture did not depend upon his own unsupported testimony. Evidently the man who had looked at it the night before had seen something of the same kind as he had, otherwise he might have been tempted to think that something gravely wrong was happening either to his eyes or his mind. This possibility being fortunately precluded, two matters awaited him on the morrow. He must take stock of the picture very carefully, and call in a witness for the purpose, and he must make a determined effort to ascertain what house it was that was represented. He would therefore ask his neighbour Nisbet to breakfast with him, and he would subsequently spend a morning over the gazetteer.   Nisbet was disengaged, and arrived about 9.20. His host was not quite dressed, I am sorry to say, even at this late hour. During breakfast nothing was said about the mezzotint by Williams, save that he had a picture on which he wished for Nisbet’s opinion. But those who are familiar with University life can picture for themselves the wide and delightful range of subjects over which the conversation of two Fellows of Canterbury College is likely to extend during a Sunday morning breakfast. Hardly a topic was left unchallenged, from golf to lawn-tennis. Yet I am bound to say that Williams was rather distraught; for his interest naturally centred in that very strange picture which was now reposing, face downwards, in the drawer in the room opposite.   The morning pipe was at last lighted, and the moment had arrived for which he looked. With very considerable — almost tremulous — excitement he ran across, unlocked the drawer, and, extracting the picture — still face downwards — ran back, and put it into Nisbet’s hands.   ‘Now,’ he said, ‘Nisbet, I want you to tell me exactly what you see in that picture. Describe it, if you don’t mind, rather minutely. I’ll tell you why afterwards.’   ‘Well,’ said Nisbet, ‘I have here a view of a country-house — English, I presume — by moonlight.’   ‘Moonlight? You’re sure of that?’   ‘Certainly. The moon appears to be on the wane, if you wish for details, and there are clouds in the sky.’   ‘All right. Go on. I’ll swear,’ added Williams in an aside, ‘there was no moon when I saw it first.’   ‘Well, there’s not much more to be said,’ Nisbet continued. ‘The house has one — two — three rows of windows, five in each row, except at the bottom, where there’s a porch instead of the middle one, and —’   ‘But what about figures?’ said Williams, with marked interest.   ‘There aren’t any,’ said Nisbet; ‘but —’   ‘What! No figure on the grass in front?’   ‘Not a thing.’   ‘You’ll swear to that?’   ‘Certainly I will. But there’s just one other thing.’   ‘What?’   ‘Why, one of the windows on the ground-floor — left of the door — is open.’   ‘Is it really so? My goodness! he must have got in,’ said Williams, with great excitement; and he hurried to the back of the sofa on which Nisbet was sitting, and, catching the picture from him, verified the matter for himself.   It was quite true. There was no figure, and there was the open window. Williams, after a moment of speechless surprise, went to the writing-table and scribbled for a short time. Then he brought two papers to Nisbet, and asked him first to sign one — it was his own description of the picture, which you have just heard — and then to read the other which was Williams’s statement written the night before.   ‘What can it all mean?’ said Nisbet.   ‘Exactly,’ said Williams. ‘Well, one thing I must do — or three things, now I think of it. I must find out from Garwood’— this was his last night’s visitor —‘what he saw, and then I must get the thing photographed before it goes further, and then I must find out what the place is.’   ‘I can do the photographing myself,’ said Nisbet, ‘and I will. But, you know, it looks very much as if we were assisting at the working out of a tragedy somewhere. The question is, has it happened already, or is it going to come off? You must find out what the place is. Yes,’ he said, looking at the picture again, ‘I expect you’re right: he has got in. And if I don’t mistake, there’ll be the devil to pay in one of the rooms upstairs.’   ‘I’ll tell you what,’ said Williams: ‘I’ll take the picture across to old Green’ (this was the senior Fellow of the College, who had been Bursar for many years). ‘It’s quite likely he’ll know it. We have property in Essex and Sussex, and he must have been over the two counties a lot in his time.’   ‘Quite likely he will,’ said Nisbet; ‘but just let me take my photograph first. But look here, I rather think Green isn’t up today. He wasn’t in Hall last night, and I think I heard him say he was going down for the Sunday.’   ‘That’s true, too,’ said Williams; ‘I know he’s gone to Brighton. Well, if you’ll photograph it now, I’ll go across to Garwood and get his statement, and you keep an eye on it while I’m gone. I’m beginning to think two guineas is not a very exorbitant price for it now.’   In a short time he had returned, and brought Mr Garwood with him. Garwood’s statement was to the effect that the figure, when he had seen it, was clear of the edge of the picture, but had not got far across the lawn. He remembered a white mark on the back of its drapery, but could not have been sure it was a cross. A document to this effect was then drawn up and signed, and Nisbet proceeded to photograph the picture.   ‘Now what do you mean to do?’ he said. ‘Are you going to sit and watch it all day?’   ‘Well, no, I think not,’ said Williams. ‘I rather imagine we’re meant to see the whole thing. You see, between the time I saw it last night and this morning there was time for lots of things to happen, but the creature only got into the house. It could easily have got through its business in the time and gone to its own place again; but the fact of the window being open, I think, must mean that it’s in there now. So I feel quite easy about leaving it. And besides, I have a kind of idea that it wouldn’t change much, if at all, in the daytime. We might go out for a walk this afternoon, and come in to tea, or whenever it gets dark. I shall leave it out on the table here, and sport the door. My skip can get in, but no one else.’   The three agreed that this would be a good plan; and, further, that if they spent the afternoon together they would be less likely to talk about the business to other people; for any rumour of such a transaction as was going on would bring the whole of the Phasmatological Society about their ears.   We may give them a respite until five o’clock.   At or near that hour the three were entering Williams’s staircase. They were at first slightly annoyed to see that the door of his rooms was unsported; but in a moment it was remembered that on Sunday the skips came for orders an hour or so earlier than on weekdays. However, a surprise was awaiting them. The first thing they saw was the picture leaning up against a pile of books on the table, as it had been left, and the next thing was Williams’s skip, seated on a chair opposite, gazing at it with undisguised horror. How was this? Mr Filcher (the name is not my own invention) was a servant of considerable standing, and set the standard of etiquette to all his own college and to several neighbouring ones, and nothing could be more alien to his practice than to be found sitting on his master’s chair, or appearing to take any particular notice of his master’s furniture or pictures. Indeed, he seemed to feel this himself. He started violently when the three men were in the room, and got up with a marked effort. Then he said:   ‘I ask your pardon, sir, for taking such a freedom as to set down.’   ‘Not at all, Robert,’ interposed Mr Williams. ‘I was meaning to ask you some time what you thought of that picture.’   ‘Well, sir, of course I don’t set up my opinion against yours, but it ain’t the pictur I should ‘ang where my little girl could see it, sir.’   ‘Wouldn’t you, Robert? Why not?’   ‘No, sir. Why, the pore child, I recollect once she see a Door Bible, with pictures not ‘alf what that is, and we ‘ad to set up with her three or four nights afterwards, if you’ll believe me; and if she was to ketch a sight of this skelinton here, or whatever it is, carrying off the pore baby, she would be in a taking. You know ‘ow it is with children; ‘ow nervish they git with a little thing and all. But what I should say, it don’t seem a right pictur to be laying about, sir, not where anyone that’s liable to be startled could come on it. Should you be wanting anything this evening, sir? Thank you, sir.’   With these words the excellent man went to continue the round of his masters, and you may be sure the gentlemen whom he left lost no time in gathering round the engraving. There was the house, as before under the waning moon and the drifting clouds. The window that had been open was shut, and the figure was once more on the lawn: but not this time crawling cautiously on hands and knees. Now it was erect and stepping swiftly, with long strides, towards the front of the picture. The moon was behind it, and the black drapery hung down over its face so that only hints of that could be seen, and what was visible made the spectators profoundly thankful that they could see no more than a white dome-like forehead and a few straggling hairs. The head was bent down, and the arms were tightly clasped over an object which could be dimly seen and identified as a child, whether dead or living it was not possible to say. The legs of the appearance alone could be plainly discerned, and they were horribly thin.   From five to seven the three companions sat and watched the picture by turns. But it never changed. They agreed at last that it would be safe to leave it, and that they would return after Hall and await further developments.   When they assembled again, at the earliest possible moment, the engraving was there, but the figure was gone, and the house was quiet under the moonbeams. There was nothing for it but to spend the evening over gazetteers and guide-books. Williams was the lucky one at last, and perhaps he deserved it. At 11.30 p.m. he read from Murray’s Guide to Essex the following lines:   16–1/2 miles, Anningley . The church has been an interesting building of Norman date, but was extensively classicized in the last century. It contains the tomb of the family of Francis, whose mansion, Anningley Hall, a solid Queen Anne house, stands immediately beyond the churchyard in a park of about 80 acres. The family is now extinct, the last heir having disappeared mysteriously in infancy in the year 1802. The father, Mr Arthur Francis, was locally known as a talented amateur engraver in mezzotint. After his son’s disappearance he lived in complete retirement at the Hall, and was found dead in his studio on the third anniversary of the disaster, having just completed an engraving of the house, impressions of which are of considerable rarity.   This looked like business, and, indeed, Mr Green on his return at once identified the house as Anningley Hall.   ‘Is there any kind of explanation of the figure, Green?’ was the question which Williams naturally asked.   ‘I don’t know, I’m sure, Williams. What used to be said in the place when I first knew it, which was before I came up here, was just this: old Francis was always very much down on these poaching fellows, and whenever he got a chance he used to get a man whom he suspected of it turned off the estate, and by degrees he got rid of them all but one. Squires could do a lot of things then that they daren’t think of now. Well, this man that was left was what you find pretty often in that country — the last remains of a very old family. I believe they were Lords of the Manor at one time. I recollect just the same thing in my own parish.’   ‘What, like the man in Tess o’ the Durbervilles ?’ Williams put in.   ‘Yes, I dare say; it’s not a book I could ever read myself. But this fellow could show a row of tombs in the church there that belonged to his ancestors, and all that went to sour him a bit; but Francis, they said, could never get at him — he always kept just on the right side of the law — until one night the keepers found him at it in a wood right at the end of the estate. I could show you the place now; it marches with some land that used to belong to an uncle of mine. And you can imagine there was a row; and this man Gawdy (that was the name, to be sure — Gawdy; I thought I should get it — Gawdy), he was unlucky enough, poor chap! to shoot a keeper. Well, that was what Francis wanted, and grand juries — you know what they would have been then — and poor Gawdy was strung up in double-quick time; and I’ve been shown the place he was buried in, on the north side of the church — you know the way in that part of the world: anyone that’s been hanged or made away with themselves, they bury them that side. And the idea was that some friend of Gawdy’s — not a relation, because he had none, poor devil! he was the last of his line: kind of spes ultima gentis — must have planned to get hold of Francis’s boy and put an end to his line, too. I don’t know — it’s rather an out-of-the-way thing for an Essex poacher to think of — but, you know, I should say now it looks more as if old Gawdy had managed the job himself. Booh! I hate to think of it! have some whisky, Williams!’   The facts were communicated by Williams to Dennistoun, and by him to a mixed company, of which I was one, and the Sadducean Professor of Ophiology another. I am sorry to say that the latter when asked what he thought of it, only remarked: ‘Oh, those Bridgeford people will say anything’— a sentiment which met with the reception it deserved.   I have only to add that the picture is now in the Ashleian Museum; that it has been treated with a view to discovering whether sympathetic ink has been used in it, but without effect; that Mr Britnell knew nothing of it save that he was sure it was uncommon; and that, though carefully watched, it has never been known to change again.    

One Family’s story discovering the healing powers of food and thought.  Margaret is part of a generational farming family, they had the best in technology, they had the best productive farm using the latest techniques to boost production, but deep inside this family knew something wasn’t right.  Listen in as Margaret describes the farming practices Listen In The post UC 156: Eat Think Heal with Margaret Bridgeford appeared first on The Wellness Couch.