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Are you trying to find fulfillment by filling yourself up, or are you ready to experience the deep joy that only comes from pouring yourself out? This week on Off Script, Neil and Scott dive into Philippians Chapter 2 to explore the radical humility of Jesus and what it practically looks like to live a life of emptying ourselves for others. The guys break down the stark contrast between a "stagnant lake" that stores up blessings and a flowing stream that continually pours out, pointing to Jesus as the ultimate example of self-emptying love. They also dive into the historical reality of Paul and Silas singing hymns in a midnight dungeon, challenging us to step out of our physical and spiritual comfort zones to "sing through the suffering." The Challenge This week, look for an intentional pathway to empty yourself on behalf of someone else. Ask yourself three specific questions: Who did I serve today? What did I give away? and Whose burden did I bear? When the Holy Spirit presents a clear opportunity to step outside of your comfort zone and serve, make the choice to say yes instead of looking inward. Hosts: Neil Gregory and Scott Nickell What We Discuss The balance of pastoral health: establishing thresholds for preaching and demonstrating the necessity of rest Shifting from a "stagnant lake" mentality to becoming a flowing, overflowing stream that pours out to others How trying to constantly fill and satisfy ourselves blocks us from experiencing true biblical joy The historical background of Philippians 2 and the missing context of Epaphroditus falling deathly ill A vivid look at Acts 16: the brutal reality of Paul and Silas being beaten with rods and thrown into prison stocks Why singing through suffering destroys the leverage of the enemy and serves as a powerful witness to others Overcoming pride in worship and how changing our physical posture can unlock something deep within us spiritually Capturing the powerful moment of bowing our heads to acknowledge being small instruments in God's hands About Southland Christian Church Southland is one church meeting in multiple locations across central Kentucky. We believe Jesus came for the lost and the broken, which means there's a place for everyone here. Around here, that means we worship defiantly, speak truth unashamedly, and extend grace generously. To support this ministry and help us continue to reach across Central Kentucky and all around the world, visit: https://southland.church/give
This episode examines a case that sits at the uneasy boundary between criminal adjudication, media power, and moral authority: the prosecution and execution of Aileen Wuornos, labeled the “first female serial killer. We look at two documentaries by Nick Broomfield—Aileen Wuornos: The Selling of a Serial Killer (1992) and Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer (2003)—alongside the feature film Monster (2003), written and directed by Patty Jenkins and starring Charlize Theron in an Oscar-winning role. Broomfield's documentaries are less about guilt or innocence than about process: who controls the narrative, how legal representation operates, and what happens when a defendant's life becomes an object of transaction, between lawyers, media, and the public. The films also penetrate the issues around the application of the death penalty in the United States, and the problems that arise when the state seeks to executive individuals who are themselves victims and suffer from severe mental illness. Monster approaches the same facts through dramatization. It also raises important questions, including how far context should matter in judging criminal responsibility and construction of narratives around crimes.Timestamps:0:00 Introduction2:58 Capturing law on film5:24 The two Nick Broomfield documentaries11:16 Addressing Aileen Wuornos's murders14:04 The flawed defense strategy18:47 The depiction of Tyria Moore (Aileen Wuornos's girlfriend20:55 Selling the Aileen Wuornos story23:09 The theme of the “monster”28:29 Themes of betrayal and self-defense31:53 Nick Broomfield and an outsider view of the American legal system34:56 Mental illness and the death penalty37:39 Media coverage of sensational murders 39:22 Failures of the legal process44:26 A critique of the death penalty47:00 Exoticization in the filmsFurther Reading: Cavanaugh, L. Sheila, “‘White Trash:' Abject Skin in Film Reviews of ‘Monster',” in Skin, Culture, and Pscyhoanalysis (Cavanaugh, L. Sheila et al. eds.) (2013)Dargis, Manohla, “Life and Death Issues,” Los Angeles Times (Jan. 9. 2004)Diamond, Suzanna, “‘A Flower in a Hard Rain': Melodramatic Storytelling by, and About, Aileen Wuornos,” Anthurium, vol. 15(2) (2019)Horeck, Tanya, “From Documentary to Drama: Capturing Aileen Wuornos,” Screen, vol. 48(2), pp. 141-59 (Summer 2007)Pearson, Kyra, “The Trouble with Aileen Wuornos, Feminism's ‘First Serial Killer,'” Communication and Critical/Cultural Studies, vol. 4(3), pp. 256-75 (Sept. 2007Smith, Abbe, “The ‘Monster' in All of Us: When Victims Become Perpetrators,” 38 Suffolk U. L. Rev. 367 (2005)Law on Film is created and produced by Jonathan Hafetz. Jonathan is a professor at Seton Hall Law School. He has written many books and articles about the law. He has litigated important cases to protect civil liberties and human rights while working at the ACLU and other organizations. Jonathan is a huge film buff and has been watching, studying, and talking about movies for as long as he can remember. For more information about Jonathan, here's a link to his bio: https://law.shu.edu/profiles/hafetzjo.htmlYou can contact him at jonathanhafetz@gmail.comYou can follow him on X (Twitter) @jonathanhafetz You can follow the podcast on X (Twitter) @LawOnFilmYou can follow the podcast on Instagram @lawonfilmpodcast
Higher interest rates, slower exits, and increased competition are reshaping private equity and putting pressure on returns. As deal dynamics shift, many funds are rethinking how they create and protect value across the investment lifecycle, issues that are expected to be discussed during next week's SuperReturn conference. In this episode of Risk in Context, Marsh's Paul Knowles, John Romeo, and Benjamin Baumann explore what's changing, where opportunities are emerging, and the strategies that senior executives should consider to navigate today's evolving PE landscape. You can access a transcript of the episode here. Learn more about Marsh's presence at SuperReturn. For more insights and details about related insurance and risk management solutions, follow Marsh on LinkedIn and X and visit marsh.com.
Photographer Olaf Heine recounts his incredible experience photographing an 80-foot swell at Jaws in the winter of 2024, describing the atmosphere as "an army going out there into war" due to the seismic power of the ocean, which he notes is also what drives big wave surfer Laird Hamilton, who is featured on the book's cover.Show Clip from The Paris Chong Show with Olaf Heinehttps://youtu.be/gSbqszE1XQwhttps://www.theparischongshow.com
Fluent Fiction - Hebrew: Capturing Blooms and Bonds: A Shavuot Tale of Friendship Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/he/episode/2026-05-29-07-38-19-he Story Transcript:He: בבוקר אביבי, כשהשמש הנעימה זורחת מעל הגנים הבוטניים בירושלים, אליאב, מרים ויונתן התכנסו בכניסה.En: On a spring morning, as the pleasant sun shone over the Botanical Gardens in Jerusalem, Eliyav, Miriam, and Yonatan gathered at the entrance.He: היה חג שבועות, זמן של מתן תורה ושל טבע בשיא פריחתו.En: It was the holiday of Shavuot, a time of the giving of the Torah and nature at its peak bloom.He: אליאב הביט במרים כשהיא צילמה פרחים עם המצלמה שלה.En: Eliyav watched Miriam as she photographed flowers with her camera.He: הוא אהב את הצילום שלה, אך יותר מכל, אהב אותה.En: He loved her photography, but more than anything, he loved her.He: הוא ידע שהיום הוא הזדמנות מיוחדת – פרח נדיר, שפורח ליום אחד בלבד.En: He knew today was a special opportunity—a rare flower that blooms for just one day.He: "הלכתם פעם לראות את הפרח הנדיר הזה?En: "Have you ever gone to see this rare flower?"He: " שאל יונתן, מגלה בדאגה את המפה של הגנים.En: Yonatan asked as he anxiously unfolded the garden map.He: חבר נאמן לטבע, הוא תמיד הקפיד על שימור הצמחים.En: A loyal friend to nature, he always made sure to preserve the plants.He: "לא, אבל שמעתי שהוא יפהפה," השיבה מרים בחיוך.En: "No, but I've heard it's beautiful," Miriam replied with a smile.He: "אני רוצה לתפוס את הרגע במצלמה.En: "I want to capture the moment with my camera."He: "שלושתם החלו ללכת בין השבילים הקסומים, מלאי צבע ופלא.En: The three began to walk along the enchanting paths, full of color and wonder.He: עצי פרי בתנופה, דבורים מזמזמות בין הפרחים.En: Fruit trees in full swing, bees buzzing among the flowers.He: כל רגע היה חגיגה של החיים, של הטבע המתחדש.En: Every moment was a celebration of life, of nature reborn.He: "אנחנו חייבים למהר," פנה אליאב, מתרשם מהזמן החולף.En: "We must hurry," Eliyav urged, mindful of the passing time.He: "השמש תגיעה לשיא בקרוב, ונרצה למצוא אותו לפני הסוף של היום.En: "The sun will peak soon, and we'll want to find it before the day ends."He: "כשהגיעו לפינת חבויה, המתח בגזע כל אחד מהם התעורר.En: When they reached a hidden corner, tension arose in each of them.He: הפרח הנדיר היה שם, מפואר ומרהיב.En: The rare flower was there, magnificent and splendid.He: אך היה ברור שכל מגע לא זהיר יכול לגרום נזק.En: But it was clear that any careless touch could cause harm.He: המתח ביניהם גבר, ההחלטה עמדת לפניהם.En: The tension between them increased; the decision lay before them.He: "אני רק רוצה לתעד אותו," אמר יונתן, מבטו רציני.En: "I just want to document it," Yonatan said seriously.He: "לשמר אותו לדורות הבאים.En: "To preserve it for future generations."He: "אליאב ידע שעליו להחליט – האם לרצות את רגשי ליבו האישי או לתת לטבע להיות הוא עצמו.En: Eliyav knew he had to decide—whether to satisfy his personal feelings or let nature be itself.He: הוא הביט במרים, שראתה את היופי דרך עדשתה.En: He looked at Miriam, who saw the beauty through her lens.He: "מרים, תצלמי אותו במלוא תפארתו," אמר אליאב בשקט, כשהוא מתרחק מהפרח.En: "Miriam, photograph it in all its glory," Eliyav said quietly, as he stepped away from the flower.He: לא הצטרך עוד להוכיח דבר.En: He no longer needed to prove anything.He: היא לכדה את הרגע המושלם, ויונתן סימן את המיקום לשימור.En: She captured the perfect moment, and Yonatan marked the location for preservation.He: השמש החלה לשקוע, והם התיישבו תחת עץ רחב-עלים.En: The sun began to set, and they sat under a broad-leaved tree.He: מרים הציגה את התמונות, והם צחקו יחד, שוכחים מההתחלה של היום.En: Miriam displayed the photos, and they laughed together, forgetting the start of the day.He: אליאב הבין שהרגעים שחלק עם חבריו חשובים לא פחות מהרגשות האישיים שלו.En: Eliyav realized that the moments he shared with his friends were no less important than his personal feelings.He: הוא למד שמסע משותף יכול להביא אושר אמיתי.En: He learned that a shared journey can bring true happiness. Vocabulary Words:pleasant: נעימהblooms: פורחrare: נדירanxiously: בדאגהpreserve: שימורcapture: לתפוסenchanting: הקסומיםcelebration: חגיגהhurry: למהרtension: מתחmagnificent: מפוארsplendid: מרהיבcareless: לא זהירdocument: לתעדdecide: להחליטprove: להוכיחglory: תפארתוbroad-leaved: רחב-עליםdisplayed: הציגהpersonal: האישיopportunity: הזדמנותentrance: בכניסהloyal: נאמןfruit trees: עצי פריbuzzing: מזמזמותreborn: מתחדשmindful: מתרשםhidden: חבויהdecision: החלטהshared: משותףBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/fluent-fiction-hebrew--5818690/support.
Fluent Fiction - Norwegian: Sigrid's Spring Adventure: Capturing Courage and Nature Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/no/episode/2026-05-28-22-34-01-no Story Transcript:No: Vårsolen skinte over Sognsvann, et stille og vakkert sted i utkanten av Oslo.En: The spring sun shone over Sognsvann, a quiet and beautiful place on the outskirts of Oslo.No: Fugler sang blant trærne, og luften var fylt med lukten av vårblomster.En: Birds sang among the trees, and the air was filled with the scent of spring flowers.No: Elevene fra Sogn Skole var på ekskursjon, og stemningen var livlig.En: The students from Sogn Skole were on an excursion, and the atmosphere was lively.No: Sigrid, derimot, holdt seg litt for seg selv.En: Sigrid, however, kept a little to herself.No: Hun var en stille jente, men hun elsket naturen av hele sitt hjerte.En: She was a quiet girl, but she loved nature with all her heart.No: Sigrid drømte om å bli naturfotograf.En: Sigrid dreamed of becoming a nature photographer.No: Hun hadde hørt rykter om en sjelden fugl som hekket nær innsjøen.En: She had heard rumors about a rare bird nesting near the lake.No: Drømmen hennes var å få et bilde av denne fuglen.En: Her dream was to get a picture of this bird.No: Det var et mål hun hadde satt seg for dagen.En: It was a goal she had set for herself that day.No: Men det var ikke lett.En: But it wasn't easy.No: Læreren deres, fru Lin, hadde en streng tidsplan å følge.En: Their teacher, Mrs. Lin, had a strict schedule to follow.No: Uheldigvis ville Magnus, en av klassekameratene, stadig snakke med Sigrid.En: Unfortunately, Magnus, one of her classmates, constantly wanted to talk to Sigrid.No: Han var vennlig, men også distraherende.En: He was friendly but also distracting.No: Mens gruppen spaserte langs stien ved innsjøen, prøvde Sigrid å fokusere.En: As the group walked along the path by the lake, Sigrid tried to focus.No: Hun lette etter tegn på fuglen i tretoppene.En: She searched for signs of the bird in the treetops.No: Ved lunsjpause bestemte Sigrid seg for å ta sjansen.En: At lunchtime, Sigrid decided to take the chance.No: Hun smøg seg vekk fra gruppen og inn i en rolig lund der hun hadde sett andre fugler tidligere.En: She slipped away from the group and into a quiet grove where she had seen other birds before.No: Hjertet hennes banket fort.En: Her heart beat fast.No: Hva om hun ble oppdaget?En: What if she was discovered?No: Hva om hun gikk glipp av sjansen?En: What if she missed the chance?No: Så skjedde det.En: Then it happened.No: Hun så fuglen!En: She saw the bird!No: Den var enda mer strålende enn hun hadde forestilt seg.En: It was even more magnificent than she had imagined.No: Sigrid løftet kameraet sakte.En: Sigrid raised her camera slowly.No: Fingrene hennes ristet av spenning.En: Her fingers trembled with excitement.No: Akkurat da hun skulle trykke på knappen, ropte noen i det fjerne.En: Just as she was about to press the button, someone shouted in the distance.No: Klassen hennes lette etter henne.En: Her class was looking for her.No: Hun visste at hun måtte skynde seg, men hun trengte dette bildet.En: She knew she had to hurry, but she needed this picture.No: Med konsentrerte øyne og en stø hånd tok hun bildet hun hadde drømt om.En: With focused eyes and a steady hand, she took the picture she had dreamed of.No: Ett magisk øyeblikk ble fanget.En: One magical moment was captured.No: Sigrid løp tilbake til de andre.En: Sigrid ran back to the others.No: Hun var andpusten, men smilet hennes var strålende.En: She was out of breath, but her smile was radiant.No: Hun viste bildet til fru Lin.En: She showed the picture to Mrs. Lin.No: Læreren var imponert.En: The teacher was impressed.No: "Dette er fantastisk, Sigrid.En: "This is fantastic, Sigrid.No: Du har virkelig et øye for fotografering.En: You really have an eye for photography."No: "Sigrid kjente en varme inni seg.En: Sigrid felt a warmth inside her.No: Hun hadde klart det.En: She had done it.No: Selvtilliten hennes vokste.En: Her confidence grew.No: Hun innså at hennes lidenskap var verdifull.En: She realized that her passion was valuable.No: Resten av turen snakket hun mer.En: For the rest of the trip, she spoke more.No: Magnus var den første hun fortalte om fuglen.En: Magnus was the first one she told about the bird.No: Det var en vårdag hun aldri ville glemme.En: It was a spring day she would never forget.No: Sigrid hadde funnet sitt mot ved Sognsvann.En: Sigrid had found her courage at Sognsvann.No: Hun hadde vunnet sin egen indre kamp, og verden føltes litt større, litt bedre.En: She had won her own inner battle, and the world felt a little bigger, a little better. Vocabulary Words:outskirts: utkantenexcursion: ekskursjonatmosphere: stemningdreamed: drømterumors: rykternesting: hekkendeschedule: tidsplanstrict: strengdistracting: distraherendefocus: fokuseretreetops: tretoppenegrove: lundmagnificent: strålendetrembled: ristetdiscovered: oppdagetpressed: trykkecaptured: fangetimpressed: imponertconfidence: selvtillitvaluable: verdfullcourage: motinner: indreradiant: strålendelively: livligsteadily: støscent: luktenbutton: knappenbeat: banketshouted: roptechance: sjanse
In this reflective episode, Brian opens up a conversation he's been turning over for a while now. Occam's razor, the principle he quotes on this show more than any other, and why it keeps walking back into the room every time he tries to make sense of a Sasquatch report, a piece of evidence, or a guest's wilder claim. He walks through what the principle actually says versus the bumper sticker version most people learn, why simple isn't really the right word for what Occam was getting at, and how a good razor cuts both ways for the lazy skeptic and the eager believer alike.Brian also gets honest, on the record, about his disagreement with Bill Munns on the new Capturing Bigfoot documentary and the forty second clip the filmmakers say was shot on 1966 film stock. With genuine respect for Bill and the work he's done, Brian walks through why the simplest explanation for that footage isn't the one Bill is offering, why he thinks Bill is working backward from a conclusion rather than forward from the evidence, and why the honest position is to keep both possibilities on the table while the rest of the story unfolds.From the witness record and dermal ridges to the Sierra Sounds, from his own 2024 sighting in Washington State to the absence of a body that remains the field's central problem, this episode lays out the biological case clearly and then turns to the part that's been on his mind lately.The shift among some of his guests toward an interdimensional, telepathic, paranormal Sasquatch, and the slippery slope of explaining one mystery by stacking another mystery on top of it.Brian closes with a hard look at citizen science.The documentation discipline he learned in the academy, the role of independent labs, the value of negative results, the trap of confirmation bias, and the patient work that eventually moved meteorites and the giant squid from myth to accepted science.Email BrianGet Our FREE NewsletterGet Brian's Books Leave Us A VoicemailVisit Our WebsiteBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sasquatch-odyssey--4839697/support.Have you had a Bigfoot encounter, Sasquatch sighting, Dogman experience, or other cryptid or paranormal encounter? We'd love to hear your story. Email brian@paranormalworldproductions.com to be featured on a future episode of Sasquatch Odyssey.Sasquatch Odyssey is a leading Bigfoot and cryptid podcast exploring real encounters, field research, and scientific analysis of the Sasquatch phenomenon.Follow the show and turn on automatic downloads so you never miss an episode.
The Motherhood Anthology Podcast: Photography Education for a Business You Love
Some of the most memorable images of childhood aren't the polished, smile-on-cue portraits. They're the unguarded, in-between moments that capture who a kid really is. In this episode, Kim sits down with TMA mentor and Tampa-based photographer Laura Gattis to talk about her signature Childhood Narrative project, and what it looks like to build an offering that's entirely your own. Topics Covered How the Childhood Narrative was born and why it's different from a mini session, heirloom session, or personality portrait Building a once-a-year signature offering that stands apart from what everyone else is shooting The art of capturing authentic connection over posed perfection Why a child mirrors the energy you bring, and how that shapes your approach behind the camera Finding creative inspiration outside the photography world Creating an offering rooted in your own style rather than chasing what's trending The long-term payoff of treating clients well and building lasting relationships Laura's approach is a reminder that the work that resonates most is the work that's truly yours. If you've ever felt the pull to create something different, this conversation will leave you inspired to lean into your own creative voice. Connect with Laura: http://www.lauragattis.com http://www.instagram.com/lauragattisphotography Get on the wait list for our next Coaching Week: themotherhoodanthology.com Connect with TMA: Website | Membership | Courses: www.themotherhoodanthology.com Free Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/themotherhoodanthology Our Instagram: instagram.com/themotherhoodanthology Connect with Kim: Site: https://kimbox.com IG https://www.instagram.com/kimbox
Last time we spoke about the first phase of the One Hundred Regiment Offensive. On 20 August 1940, forces launched the Zhengtai Campaign, part of the "Hundred Regiments Offensive," aiming to disrupt Japan's transport network and thus weaken its "cage-and-strongpoint" defense. Orders from the Eighth Route Army split tasks: the Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region attacked the eastern Zheng–Tai line, the 129th Division struck the western section , and the 120th Division hit the Tongpu Railway and the Fen–Li Highway. Success was to be judged by the damage inflicted on the Zheng–Tai line. Preparations were conducted under strict secrecy: reconnaissance teams mapped Japanese strongholds with help from villagers; communities stockpiled grain, ammunition, and tools, and trained for demolition, including heating and bending rails. At night, units infiltrated stations and villages, seized positions, and destroyed bridges, power lines, roads, and mines across multiple columns; rain slowed movement and shaped the fighting. By early September, the Zheng–Tai line and related transport routes were severed, isolating strongpoints and hindering reinforcement. #203 The One Hundred Regiment Offensive Phase Two Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. During the second phase, the Hundred Regiments Offensive stopped being a single burst of action and became a sustained attempt to keep the Japanese occupation system off-balance. More regiments entered the fighting until, by the scale of commitment on the map, 104 regiments were involved. This matters because it changes what the campaign was: not merely a set of raids, but an effort to broaden pressure so that the enemy could not concentrate everything in one place at one time. Years later, Peng Dehuai—the commander closely associated with the Hundred Regiments offensive—described how the entry of these units felt as "spontaneous." That word can sound mysterious, so it helps to interpret it in operational terms. "Spontaneous" here does not mean unplanned chaos; it means that once the offensive logic took hold—once units saw that Japanese movement and control were being disrupted—local commanders and regiments felt empowered to join the fight without always waiting for the Eighth Route Army headquarters to issue fresh, detailed instructions for each smaller step. In other words, the campaign became something like an expanding network: local success and shared strategic perception fed into more participation across regions. Strategically, the campaign was guided by political and military guidance issued on September 10, 1940 by the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party. That instruction tied current operations to the earlier political-military framework of the July 7 Declaration and the July 7 Decision. The instruction argued that the moment mattered: it called for focusing "main efforts" on striking the Japanese army during a period when unity was being strengthened. It specifically urged that, based on the experience of the North China Hundred Regiments Offensive, Communist forces should organize one or more planned large-scale offensive operations in Shandong and Central China. In North China, the instruction pushed for expansion into Japanese army areas that had not yet been attacked—because the battlefield effect of the campaign was not only measured in immediate battlefield outcomes, but in reducing enemy-occupied space, enlarging base areas, breaking through blockade lines, and improving combat effectiveness. That last phrase—"Striking the enemy and attacking our allies is the general policy of military operations at present"—was the harsh shorthand for the operational reality: the campaign had to prevent Japanese occupation from appearing stable and manageable. If the occupation system could treat insurgency as "localized trouble," it would recover quickly. If, instead, occupation became dangerous in multiple places at once—requiring constant defense, constant movement, constant reinforcement—then the Japanese would be forced into a defensive posture that undermined their ability to exploit control. On September 16, 1940, the headquarters issued the second phase plan with a clear aim: expand results from the first phase. The headquarters explained the second phase would continue with an emphasis on disrupting Japanese transportation and destroying some strongholds that had penetrated deep into the base areas. This reveals the campaign's real "background and stakes": the offensive wasn't built around capturing territory in the traditional sense alone. It was built around breaking the system that makes occupation work. In the enemy's logic, occupation relies on movement: soldiers need to move, supplies need to be shipped, and reinforcement must be routed quickly to where trouble appears. Transportation infrastructure—roads, railways, bridges, power lines—forms the skeleton of control. Strongholds and outposts are the organs that occupy space, but they depend on that skeleton. If transportation becomes unreliable, strongholds become isolated islands. If strongholds become isolated, the Japanese must decide between (1) defending each island and spreading themselves thin, or (2) leaving some islands to contain the rest—either way, control weakens. Strongpoints—whether forts, fortified villages, gatehouses, or road blocks—also function as a "cage-and-silkworm" system: they are placed so Japanese forces can consolidate inside them, while routes outside are controlled or denied. In that model, even a small disruption can trigger a major ripple effect. When highways or key segments of rail are repeatedly broken, Japanese units cannot move "cleanly." They must detour, slow down, repair under threat, or escort repairs with larger forces than they prefer. Every extra hour spent repairing is an hour not spent consolidating. Every detour is a chance for ambush or for further sabotage. The second phase sought to exploit that dependency deliberately. That strategic framing explains why, even as the campaign broadened, different regions emphasized different battles. The Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region mainly fought the Lai-Ling Campaign, the 129th Division mainly fought the Yu-Liao Campaign, and the 120th Division focused on attacking the Tong-Pu Railway. They were not separate stories. They were different methods of attacking the same underlying vulnerability: the occupier's ability to move, reinforce, and coordinate. In Jin-Cha-Ji's sector, the stakes were especially sharp around Laiyuan and Lingqiu. The Japanese forces stationed in Mongolia had occupied those areas and penetrated deeply into the northwestern parts of the Jin-Cha-Ji Border Region. Japanese strength around these positions included elements of the 2nd Independent Mixed Brigade and the 26th Division, totaling more than 1,500 men, plus more than 1,000 puppet troops. The presence of puppet forces mattered not only for manpower, but because puppet troops supported the occupier's local control apparatus: they served as locally sourced enforcers, scouts, guards, and "administration-adjacent" security. Removing or weakening them was part of disrupting occupation credibility and local stability. Because the Japanese had been attacked in the first phase, they did not respond by retreating into passivity. They increased troops at each stronghold. Laiyuan City alone was reinforced to around 500 men, and the Japanese strengthened fortifications and stockpiled food and ammunition. This meant the defenders were preparing for a second round: not a sudden surprise raid, but a sustained threat that would test their ability to endure isolation and keep their network intact. Under these conditions, the Jin-Cha-Ji leadership decided to mobilize forces for the Lai-Ling Campaign, beginning at 22:00 on September 22, 1940. Here the background and stakes show up in the campaign's timing and tactics. The objective was not to "beat the defenders in open battle" only; it was to attack in ways that would prevent consolidation. By pushing on county areas and surrounding strongholds immediately, the attackers aimed to force the defenders into reactive mode—closing gates, shifting forces into defensive positions, and preparing for fights that would consume time and ammunition. The right wing launched a fierce attack on Laiyuan County and surrounding strongholds. After a night of hard fighting, the east, west, and south gates were taken, and the Japanese troops retreated into the city. Taking gates matters because it compresses space. It turns a wider defensive perimeter into a narrower, more concentrated posture. It also creates a psychological and operational trap: defenders who retreat into the city may survive longer as a fortified concentration, but their ability to conduct aggressive movement outside their walls—and their ability to receive reinforcements through many approaches—becomes more limited. In the night of September 23, the 2nd Regiment, supported by a battalion of the 1st Regiment and artillery, attacked Sanjia Village, described as an important enemy stronghold on the Laiyuan–Yixian highway, roughly 10 kilometers east of Laiyuan City. Highways are not just routes; they are corridors that connect strongholds to each other and to supply lines. By capturing a stronghold on a highway, the campaign attempted to break a portion of the corridor network feeding the city. The attackers annihilated most of the enemy and captured the village. At the same time, the 3rd Regiment attacked Dongtuanbao, northeast of Laiyuan City, and by the night of September 24, they had taken surrounding fortifications and forced remaining enemies into only a few houses inside the village. Then, on September 25, the enemy burned weapons, supplies, and food stored at the stronghold, preparing for a breakout. That detail reveals a key stake of stronghold warfare: if defenders believe they cannot hold and cannot escape, they may destroy supplies rather than let attackers seize them intact. It's a grim tactical psychology—destroying stores can deny the enemy immediate benefit, even if it reduces defenders' chances of future endurance. When the attackers launched another fierce assault and the remaining defenders, with no hope of escape, threw themselves into the flames and perished, the event underscored the "closed-options" nature of the battle: the stronghold system was being compressed until breakout became impossible. On September 26, other right-wing units, together with the 9th Regiment of the Pingxi Military Sub-district, captured 13 strongholds including Taohuabao, Bailebao, Jijiazhuang, Xinzhuang, Beikou, Xiabeitou, Baishikou, Zhongzhuang, Wangxidong, Liujiazui, Zhangjiayu, Beishifo, and Jinjiajing. Capturing strongholds in clusters has a strategic function. It doesn't just remove personnel; it interrupts local control geography. It makes it harder for defenders inside the city to extend influence outward and harder for them to create new safe points for movement. But the Japanese did what well-prepared occupiers can do: reinforce at the most important time and the most important place. On the second day after the start, Japanese reinforcement began from Zhangjiakou and other locations. Roads had not been completely destroyed, so the Japanese could advance rapidly. This becomes a major background lesson of the second phase. The first phase had demonstrated the power of sabotage to disrupt Japanese movement. But by the time second-phase campaigns began, the Japanese were not ignorant—they were learning. Where sabotage had fully severed roads, reinforcement could be delayed or routed into danger. Where sabotage remained incomplete, reinforcement could arrive quickly, changing the battle's character from attack-dominant to defense-dominant. By noon on September 28, over 3,000 Japanese and puppet troops arrived in Laiyuan City by car, supported by 20 tanks and 4 aircraft. This mechanized support was not just "extra firepower." It was a statement about how the Japanese aimed to retain control: tanks and aircraft increase defenders' ability to resist assault and keep morale from collapsing. Under these conditions, the right wing found it difficult to launch a favorable offensive. So the Jin-Cha-Ji leadership shifted offensive focus to the Lingqiu area, rather than forcing the original plan to continue against reinforced mechanized defense. The first step was to eliminate enemy strongholds between Lingqiu and Hunyuan. The second step was to seize enemy strongholds along a line from southeast of Daying to Shentangbao, and in mountainous areas north of Daying and Shahe. This shift highlights a core strategic principle: when a target becomes too fortified, the offensive can still succeed by moving the pressure elsewhere—aiming to break the enemy's network of strongpoints and keep forcing them to respond across space. On October 2, the headquarters ordered the main force of the right wing to concentrate in the area east and southeast of Laiyuan. Part of the force was assigned to monitor and contain the enemy in Laiyuan, while the 1st and 2nd Regiments were placed under the left wing's command and joined the left wing in combat. This reallocation reflects operational adaptability. If a city becomes a fortress, smaller units may be better employed as containment—tying down defenders—while the main effort moves to seize other stronghold lines where the Japanese might still be vulnerable. The fighting continued with tactical attacks that show how strongpoint warfare unfolded in the field. On the night of October 8, the 1st Battalion of the 1st Regiment launched an attack on the 2nd Regiment while a portion of the Japanese army in Nanpotou was attacking it. The attackers broke into enemy lines, annihilated most of the enemy, and drove the rest off. At the same time, the 1st Battalion of the 6th Regiment captured Qiangfengling, and the Japanese forces in Qingciyao fled in panic. The campaign also included actions such as attacks on Jinfengdian by the 3rd Battalion of the 6th Regiment on the night of September 9, and mention that the 26th Regiment entered Huangtai Temple on the night of October 8 while attacking between Lingqiu and Guangling. By understanding the background and stakes, you can see what these actions were really doing. They weren't random. They were repeated attempts to keep dismantling the enemy's ability to maintain a functioning strongpoint chain. Each captured stronghold reduces the enemy's ability to create secure corridors. Each panic-driven retreat increases their time burden and may cause breakdown in communication between local nodes. Even when the battle remains fierce and deadly, these changes in tempo can accumulate into operational outcomes. The Lai-Ling Campaign lasted 18 days, producing concrete results: killing and wounding over 1,000 Japanese and puppet troops, capturing 49 Japanese and 237 puppet troops, and leaving 1,419 casualties for the Eighth Route Army. The losses show the campaign was not a "clean victory." It was expensive. But the operational logic—disrupting a strengthened occupation zone, capturing strongholds, and forcing enemy reinforcements to concentrate—was consistent with the second phase's broader mission. Support for Lai-Ling came from the Jizhong Military Region through the Renqiu–Hejian–Dacheng–Suning Campaign from October 1 to October 20, simultaneously sabotaging the Cangshi, Deshi, Beining, and Jinpu railways. This is where "background and stakes" become especially clear. The Japanese, even when they defend in one area, have to move elsewhere to respond. When you attack multiple transportation lines and strongpoint zones at once, you prevent the enemy from solving one problem cleanly before moving to the next. You make the enemy chase multiple fires. After the Hundred Regiments Offensive began, Japanese forces in Jizhong moved west to reinforce in some cases, but most were tied down on important transportation lines. That relative weakening meant defenses in Jizhong's interior became weaker—creating space where a larger contest could occur. Jizhong decided to deploy 10 battalions totaling more than 8,500 men from the 18th, 23rd, and 30th Regiments across left wing, center, and right wing roles, fighting in the area. The plan was not only to attack; it was to manipulate where the Japanese had to respond. The two wing units would contain and draw Japanese forces away from the central Renhe Dasu zone, and then the central unit would break into that central area to open the situation. In other words: wings would pull; center would punch. The Renhe Dasu battle began on October 1, 1940. On the left wing, the 18th Regiment entered an area east of the Zhulong River and west of Hejian and Renqiu, capturing Lianjiazhuang, Dongguxian, and Liangcun between October 2 and October 6. By the night of October 7, Japanese troops at strongholds including Yuhuangmiao, Fenglebao, and Liushansi fled in panic—another reminder that once stronghold cohesion fractures, the enemy's ability to endure a second phase of pressure drops. On the right wing, the 30th Regiment operated with four battalions east of Dacheng and east of the Ziya River, capturing a series of strongholds including Liminju, Dengzhuangzi, Shigeju, Xiliuzhuang, Zangzhuangzi, and Chencun, while engaging in road-breaking and ditch digging. These actions show the campaign's "method," not just its target. Even when the opponent could be fought directly, sabotage and engineering measures could amplify the damage by reducing mobility and forcing time-consuming repairs. The central unit, the 23rd Regiment, had two battalions crossing the Hutuo River northward. On October 1, it ambushed more than 100 Japanese troops coming from Shangjialin to seize grain, killing more than 90 and capturing all their weapons. On October 9, it ambushed the enemy from Liugezhuang to Litan at Baimatang, annihilating 20 Japanese and puppet troops. These ambushes illustrate a second background principle: occupiers need sustenance and extraction operations, and those operations follow routes and patterns. By striking troops during foraging or supply-related movement, the offensive attacks not only the army but also the logic that keeps occupation armies fed and maintained. From October 15 to October 20, the second stage of those operations targeted the east and west banks of the Ziya River, leaving only a small force in the central Renhe River Great Suppression area. On the night of October 19, the central force captured Banjiehe and destroyed a bridge over the nearby Guyang River. On the night of October 16, the left wing captured Daqudi and the Renqiu Shimen Bridge, and on October 18 it captured the stronghold at Wangpan. A note in the operational description also indicates that the right wing faced a serious enemy situation and could not take major action during one segment—another reminder that even a planned operation cannot control all battlefield variables. What matters is whether the operation still meets its strategic purpose, not whether every segment goes perfectly. In the Battle of Renhe Dasu, Japanese and puppet losses were heavy: 805 killed or wounded, and 3 Japanese and 326 puppet troops captured. The campaign took 29 strongholds. The Jizhong Military Region suffered 573 casualties. Strategically, this battle contained enemy forces and effectively supported the Battle of Lai-Ling. Again, support here is not just "help in the same region," but redistribution of pressure: by forcing the enemy to allocate troops to Jizhong, Japanese defenders around Lai-Ling face more difficulty maintaining overall operational coherence. While Jin-Cha-Ji and Jizhong fought around Laiyuan and Lingqiu, a deeper pressure developed in the Taihang base region—through the Yuliao (Yu-Liao) Campaign, fought mainly by the 129th Division. The background stakes in the Yu-Liao theater were the highway route from Yangquan through Pingding, Heshun, Liaoxian to Yushe, described as the deepest penetration route through which the Japanese penetrated the Taihang base area. The Japanese tried to extend this road southwestward and connect it with the Baijin Railway through Wuxiang, aiming to split the Dahang area and deploy forces flexibly along the Zhengtai and Baijin lines. This was about strategic mobility and operational geometry. A road connection isn't only "transport"; it reshapes where the enemy can exert pressure and how quickly they can shift forces from one axis to another. The Yuliao section measured 45 kilometers and included eight strongholds: Yushe, Yanbi, Wangjing, Guantou, Pushang, Xiaolingdi, Shixia, and Liaoxian. These were guarded by the 13th Battalion of the Japanese 4th Independent Mixed Brigade. A line of strongholds along a highway is the occupier's version of a corridor defense: it enables them to keep movement inside a protected chain. If that chain is cut, movement becomes vulnerable and the "deep penetration route" turns into a dangerous liability. On September 22, 1940, the 129th Division issued basic orders: launch a surprise attack to eliminate the enemy from Yushe to Xiaolingdi, recapture strongholds, destroy the highway, and then press forward toward Liaoxian to recapture it when the opportunity arose. This is a textbook example of how the offensive combined surprise, seizure, and destruction. Surprise prevents the defenders from organizing a coordinated response. Seizure eliminates their nodes. Highway destruction prevents them from restoring their corridor quickly, forcing time and labor—exactly what the second phase wanted. The assault began on the night of September 23. On September 24, the left wing captured Yanbi and Wangjing, while the right wing captured Pushang and Xiaolingdi. By September 25, Yushe and Jucheng had also fallen, leaving only the enemy at Guantou on the Xiaolingdi–Yushe line still resisting. Concurrently, detachments attacked on related axes: the Pingliao Detachment captured Hanwang Town north of Liaoxian; the Qinbei Detachment sabotaged roads and attacked frequently, pinning Japanese forces on the Wuxiang and Baijin routes. On September 26, the 129th Division ordered part of the right wing to continue besieging the enemy at Guantou, while the main force and the left wing moved east to recapture Liaoxian and eliminate reinforcements. At dawn on September 27, the right wing attacked Shixia west of Liaoxian and captured it that night. On September 28, the left wing reached near Majiu in preparation for an attack on Liaoxian that night. Then battlefield logic reasserted itself: the Japanese did not sit idle once their corridor was threatened. Troops from Heshun and Wuxiang reinforced Liaoxian and Guantou respectively. The Eighth Route Army headquarters ordered the Liaoxian attack halted. Some forces were to contain the enemy advancing south from Heshun, while the main force moved to the Hongyatou and Guandinao areas to prepare to annihilate enemy reinforcements arriving from Wuxiang. This decision reveals a deeper stake: even if an army can seize targets, it must avoid exhaustion and must avoid allowing the enemy to convert a partial tactical loss into a larger opportunity. Headquarters essentially chose the operation's "survival path": shift from capturing more nodes to annihilating the reinforcements that would otherwise restore the corridor. Following these orders, the 129th Division attacked Guantou and took it at 24:00 on September 29. In the narrative description that follows, the enemy reinforcements moving through ambush terrain clashed with Communist formations in an engagement where aircraft coverage and terrain allowed the enemy to seize high ground and resist stubbornly. The battle lasted two days and one night, with heavy casualties on both sides. That is an important background lesson: the offensive could still destroy corridor nodes, but the enemy's ability to bring aircraft support and seize terrain meant that the "destroy and move on" approach wasn't always enough. Sometimes, momentum had to be re-channeled into another kind of contest—one closer to a blocking ambush and a battle of endurance. By the evening of October 1, more than 500 Japanese troops from Liaoxian broke through the right wing's blockade and approached near the left wing's command post. The left wing was ordered to withdraw from the battle. Headquarters then assessed that Japanese troops from Liaoxian and Wuxiang had joined and that more than 1,000 Japanese troops from Yangquan had reached Hanwang Town north of Liaoxian. Combined with the 129th Division's exhaustion and heavy casualties, headquarters decided to end the Yulin–Liaoxian Campaign—not because the offensive had no value, but because the risk of allowing the enemy to "sweep" the Taibei area could outweigh further gains. This termination decision illustrates a stake that is often overlooked: in insurgency-style campaigns, operational survival is part of success. The second phase did not merely chase targets; it sought to transform conditions so that the enemy would have to spend strength defending a failing network. If continuing a battle risks letting the enemy regroup into a larger counter-offensive that clears base zones, then ending becomes strategic. While the 129th Division wrestled with corridor defense around Liaoxian and Guantou, the 120th Division pursued a transport-centered strategy against the Tong-Pu Railway—because rail disruption was not a supporting detail; it was a main axis of pressure. On September 12, 1940, the 120th Division issued an action plan for the northern section of the Tongpu Railway, deciding to attack the Ningwu and Xinxian sections (with emphasis on the section between Ningwu and Daniudian) starting September 20. This timing shows planning designed to synchronize with broader operational pressure. Rail sabotage required engineering preparation and coordination across units, and the campaign sought to create disruption when the enemy would be most vulnerable to delayed reinforcement. On September 14, the 358th Brigade left its base west of Loufan and crossed the Jingle–Lanxian Highway to the north. It assembled at Majiagou on the 16th, then launched an attack on Toumaying using its 3rd Detachment (comprising the 7th and 8th Regiments and the special service battalion). At 24:00 on September 18, that detachment attacked Touma Camp, while the 7th and 8th Regiments attacked reinforcements. Fighting continued until the following morning when more than 40 Japanese soldiers from Ninghuabao reinforced Touma Camp. Once reinforcements reached Shanzhai Village, they were surrounded and annihilated. On September 20, around 200 Japanese soldiers from Yangquanling went to Liyan Village to counterattack. The 716th Regiment attacked at 14:00, and by dawn the next day, the enemy fled back to Yangquanling. These battles are more than local clashes. They serve the background logic of sabotage campaigns: before destroying rail infrastructure, you need to reduce the enemy's ability to respond instantly. Fighting reinforcements and counterattacks clears windows of time. Those windows can then be used to sabotage tracks, bridges, and related installations. If sabotage occurs under active reinforcement pressure, the enemy can repair quickly or trap the sabotage teams. If sabotage occurs after the enemy's response capacity is disrupted, repair becomes slower and the operational effects last longer. Parallel operations reinforced this logic. On the night of September 16, the Independent 1st Brigade crossed the Fen River east. On September 18, it was learned that more than 400 Japanese troops had attacked the Yanbei Detachment at Yangquanling but returned to Shangzhuang after failing to find them. The brigade then chose to encircle and annihilate the enemy rather than chase endlessly. The attack began at 13:00 on September 18 and lasted until early morning on September 19. The main force withdrew to sabotage the railway, while the remaining enemy retreated to Yangquanling. The engagement inflicted 105 casualties on the Independent 1st Brigade, while killing or wounding about 200 Japanese. Once the blocking threat was removed, units quickly moved into sabotage actions on the Tongpu Railway. Then sabotage itself proceeded systematically. On the night of September 22, the 4th Regiment of the 358th Brigade—attached to the division's engineering company—and the division's special service regiment advanced to the area between Duanjialing and Xuangang to sabotage several sections of the Tongpu Railway. At the same time, the 2nd Regiment attacked Qicun, and the 715th Regiment attacked Xinkou and Loubanzhai. On the night of September 23, the 2nd Regiment sabotaged the railway south of Xinkou while the 715th Regiment sabotaged it north of Xinkou. On the night of September 25, the 715th Regiment sabotaged between Daniudian and Xuangang. The Independent 2nd Brigade also sabotaged several railway sections between Shuoxian and Ningwu. After six days of sabotage operations, the 120th Division again caused the Tongpu Railway to be interrupted. The background stakes here are straightforward but huge: a rail interruption forces the occupier into repair work, escorts, and re-routing. During the second phase—when the Japanese were already under pressure across multiple theaters—the need to continuously handle repair reduces the capacity for offensive operations and for rapid reinforcement to any single contested point. It also slows their ability to respond to new threats as quickly as they would like. By connecting all these threads—Laiyuan and Lingqiu strongholds, Renhe Dasu containment and roadbreaking, the Yuliao highway corridor fight, and repeated Tongpu railway sabotage—you can see the deeper logic of the second phase. The campaign aimed to create a battlefield environment where Japanese forces could not enjoy stable mobility and where strongpoints could not function as a reliable cage. Transportation disruption isolated strongholds. Stronghold destruction and capture shrank the enemy's local control points. Highway and rail sabotage forced the Japanese to defend not only troops and walls, but also the infrastructure that enabled their coordination. That's why the second phase emphasizes disrupting transportation and destroying some strongholds penetrated deep into base areas. It wasn't simply "hit more places." It was a deliberate attempt to force the Japanese to abandon their preferred operational pattern: a networked system of strongpoints supported by transportation reliability. If that reliability breaks down, the occupier's "cage" becomes porous and unstable, and Communist base areas gain room to expand and persist. By early October, the second phase was winding down, while a third phase was developing: reinforced Japanese columns sought to engage and destroy 8RA units. Over the next two months, several fierce counterattacks occurred, and after that the Hundred Regiments campaign was considered to be finished. 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. After earlier setbacks in the 1930s, the CCP sought national leadership in resistance while maintaining political room to maneuver within an uneasy arrangement with the KMT. By early 1940–1941, the strategy shifted toward "strongpoint" and transportation warfare: guerrilla actions were used to fracture Japanese defensive networks and sabotage logistics. Japanese attempts to consolidate territory, through local administration and security practices—often provoked the CCP's dual struggle, militarily and politically. As Japanese sweeps temporarily gave the CCP advantages, the situation forced rapid adaptation.
F-Stop Collaborate and Listen - A Landscape Photography Podcast
In this episode of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen, host Matt Payne interviews Belgian photographer Hanneke Van Camp, whose work is rooted in her deep love for nature and her background in biology and science communication. Hanneke Van Camp shares the motivations behind her award-winning “Sápmi Living Landscapes” project, which explores the land and culture of Northern Scandinavia and the indigenous Sami people, as well as her experiences living seasonally in the Arctic for most of the year. The conversation delves into topics like the importance of presence over production in photography, the unique connection between environment and culture in the far north, practical ways photographers can infuse storytelling and meaning into their work, and how a values-driven approach—such as sustainability and giving back—can shape your creative life. They also discuss the process and challenges of turning a long-term project into a book, the impact of print vs. digital, and the influence of other photographers and storytellers on her journey. Links and Resources: Hanneke Van Camp Natural Landscape Photography Awards (NLPA) Order the Sápmi Book by Hanneke Van Camp Muench Workshops Vital Impacts (Amy Vitale's organization) Mother Magazine (Melissa Schäfer) Kevin Morgans – Prince of Puffins Feli Hansen (referenced project "Guilty Trashures") Marcus Westberg Freedom to Roam (Allemansrätten) Rewilding Europe Rewilding Sweden Matt's Arborglyphs Project Bonus Episode here on Patreon
This message explores the battle for the mind through the lens of scripture, neuroscience, and the finished work of Christ, revealing how beliefs formed in the heart shape our thoughts, emotions, and perception of reality. Learn how to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ and cast down every lie that contradicts what Jesus accomplished through His death and resurrection.
This is another installment of The Bigfoot Inquiry with Brian and Dr. Hogan Sherrow, and the guys open with the recent follow-up email from Bill Munns regarding the Patterson-Gimlin Film and the upcoming Capturing Bigfoot documentary before moving on to other topics.Brian narrated Bill's open letter in full on a recent Sasquatch Odyssey episode, and on this episode he and Hogan break down what Bill actually said and what it might mean. Bill doubles down on his position that the PGF is one hundred percent authentic, but in doing so he may have painted himself into a corner. If the forty-second clip in the new documentary turns out to look identical to Patty, then by Bill's own reasoning that clip has to be a man in a suit, which raises serious questions about the original film.Brian also pushes back on Bill's claim that the new clip was shot on 1966 Kodak film stock but possibly not used until 1970 or later, arguing that filmmakers are creatures of habit who use their film within a reasonable window of purchase.Hogan brings the scientific perspective and pushes back on Bill's use of absolute language, explaining that science does not prove anything to one hundred percent and that any such claim is a methodological red flag.He also takes issue with the assumption-based reasoning around the color of the foot, the angle of the step, and the supposed impossibility of anyone obtaining a Bigfoot suit. Both guys remind listeners that two things can be true at once, that the PGF could be a hoax and Bigfoot could still exist, and that everyone should reserve final judgment until they can see Capturing Bigfoot for themselves.From there the conversation moves to Sasquatch Ontario and Mike Patterson's announcement of a new book called The Invisible Giant, which Brian considers part of one of the longest-running hoaxes in the Bigfoot world. That leads into a broader discussion of the growing divide in the Bigfoot community, which Hogan compares to the ongoing chimpanzee civil war at the Ngogo community in Uganda, the largest chimp group ever documented.Hogan shares firsthand stories of being caught in the middle of chimp battles during his field research and explains how the loss of key social connectors can fracture a group, drawing a clear parallel to what is happening between the flesh-and-blood camp and the high-strangeness camp in Bigfoot research.Brian then previews his upcoming interview with David Bacara of the Expedition Bigfoot Museum in Blue Ridge, Georgia, and the guys discuss David's skepticism about Gigantopithecus and his belief that Sasquatch may be controlled by some other force. Hogan walks through the actual evidence for Gigantopithecus, including the Y-five dental pattern that identifies ape molars and the discovery of the original teeth being sold as dragon teeth in Chinese apothecary shops.The episode also covers Brian's edge theory for why Bigfoot sightings happen in suburban areas, the importance of Occam's razor when evaluating high-strangeness reports, and Hogan's closing public service announcement on the difference between territories and home ranges in primates.Email BrianGet Our FREE NewsletterGet Brian's Books Leave Us A VoicemailVisit Our WebsiteBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sasquatch-odyssey--4839697/support.Have you had a Bigfoot encounter, Sasquatch sighting, Dogman experience, or other cryptid or paranormal encounter? We'd love to hear your story. Email brian@paranormalworldproductions.com to be featured on a future episode of Sasquatch Odyssey.Sasquatch Odyssey is a leading Bigfoot and cryptid podcast exploring real encounters, field research, and scientific analysis of the Sasquatch phenomenon.Follow the show and turn on automatic downloads so you never miss an episode.
Is the Wall Street ETF narrative killing peer-to-peer Bitcoin adoption? Is Bitcoin failing if it only becomes a corporate store of value hoarded on Wall Street? Institutional demand and exchange-traded funds are not the end game for hyperbitcoinization. True freedom requires building an alternative economic system entirely outside legacy banking, proving that Bitcoin must function as everyday money to succeed.Uncle Rockstar Dev (@r0ckstardev) unpacks how open source software protects financial sovereignty. The cypherpunk history of BTCPay Server demonstrates how a non-custodial payment gateway allows anyone to host a node without asking permission. Relying on a centralized crypto payment processor intermediates your wealth, meaning you must self-host your infrastructure to enforce individual sovereignty.A thriving circular economy operates directly on the ground. From kids using the Lightning Network to buy choco bananas in El Zonte to alternative networks expanding across Africa and Indonesia, communities are establishing localized ecosystems. These regions completely bypass legacy structures, choosing instead to settle daily medium of exchange transactions directly in Satoshis.Documenting this global shift requires a dedicated grassroots movement of creators who reject mainstream financial media. Independent documentarians Zack Dorsey (@zackdorseyx) and Brandon Martin (@elbrandonmartin) share their proof of work traveling from Central America to Mauritius to capture peer to peer adoption. Capturing these alternative networks on camera is vital to countering corporate narratives and demonstrating how local financial inclusion scales from the bottom up.This decentralized evolution dismantles the broken, top-down corporate NGO model. Instead of creating loops of financial dependency, the leaders meeting at the Zonte Economic Forum are connecting their localized circles to build global network synergy. If you are ready to stop accumulating fiat and start participating in the parallel economy, smash that subscribe button, leave your thoughts on economic sovereignty below, and share this with someone still paying with dirty cash.—Bitcoin Beach TeamConnect and Learn more about the guests:Uncle Rockstar (X): https://x.com/r0ckstardevJethro Toro (X): https://x.com/JethroToroBrandon Martin (X): https://x.com/elbrandonmartinZack Dorsey: (X): https://x.com/zackdorseyxSupport and follow Bitcoin Beach:X: https://www.twitter.com/BitcoinBeach IG: https://www.instagram.com/bitcoinbeach_sv TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livefrombitcoinbeach Web: https://www.bitcoinbeach.com Browse through this quick guide to learn more about the episode:00:00 Intro02:21 How to accept Bitcoin for business using self hosted BTCPay Server04:16 BTCPay Server vs BitPay: Why Nicolas Dorier built an open source alternative06:30 Why hyperbitcoinization depends entirely on grassroots adoption10:02 What a real Bitcoin standard looks like in El Salvador and globally11:42 Will Bitcoin fail if it only becomes a Wall Street store of value12:42 Why Bitcoin Beach rejected the centralized fiat NGO funding model21:23 Proof of Work journalism: Independent media reporting on El Salvador24:44 What it is really like moving to El Salvador to live on Bitcoin27:31 How connecting peer to peer networks creates global monetary synergyLive From Bitcoin Beach
The fastest way to lose a new pool service customer is painfully simple: let the call go to voicemail while you're out on route. I sit down with Nikki Acosta and Hal Denbar from Skimmer to talk about a practical use of AI that actually earns its keep, an AI phone receptionist built specifically for pool businesses. We get into what AI should do for operators, save time, reduce interruptions, and stop real revenue leaks, instead of adding another shiny tool to the pile.Nikki breaks down how Skimmer's AI Phone works day to day: answering during the hours you choose, asking the questions you design, and routing calls based on rules for existing customers versus brand-new leads. The system can collect contact info, address, service area details, and even pool type, then store the call data inside Skimmer and create a customer record automatically. We also talk about “custom knowledge” so you can embed troubleshooting steps and safety escalations, like when a caller reports smoke or a potential equipment hazard.Hal zooms out on what this means for growth in the pool industry. Bigger companies used to win by default because they could always pick up the phone. If a small operator can answer every call with an AI voice agent, the playing field shifts. We also dig into how to choose pool service software the smart way: stability, security, business continuity, and the ability to integrate with the rest of your tech stack through APIs and webhooks. If you're looking for pool route software, field service management tools, and a realistic approach to AI automation, this one delivers.Subscribe, share this with a pool pro who misses too many calls, and leave a review with your biggest customer communication headache. What would you want an AI receptionist to handle first?We talk with Nikki Acosta and Hal Denbar from Skimmer about why missed calls quietly crush pool service growth and how an AI phone receptionist can fix it without adding office overhead. We also get honest about AI hype, what “real” time savings look like, and why software stability and security matter as much as flashy features. • AI overwhelm and a simple test for value: does it reduce real work • How Skimmer AI Phone answers calls and routes them by rules • Capturing lead details automatically and creating new customer records • Using custom knowledge for troubleshooting, escalations, and safety • Why always answering calls changes the growth advantage of big companies • Pricing, 30-day free trial, and what setup looks like in practice • What to look for in pool route software: uptime, security, long-term support • Building an integration ecosystem with APIs, webhooks, CRMs, and ERPs • Making software simple for techs in the field and back office teams Are you a pool service pro looking to take your business to the next level? Join the pool guy coaching program. Get expert advice, business tips, exclusive content, and get direct support from me. I'm a 35-year veteran in the industry. Whether you're starting out or scaling up, I've got the tools to help you succeed. Learn more at swimmingpoollearning.com. If you want to try Skimmer for free, simply go to my website, swimmingpoollearning.com, and click on the skimmer banner that's on the home page of the website. And if you want more podcasts, you can also go to that same site, swimmingpoollearning.com. On the banner, there's a podcast icon. Click on that, and there'll be over 1900 podcasts there for you to listen to at your leisure. And if you're interested in the coaching program, you can learn more at pullguycoaching.com. Send us Fan MailSupport the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA https://bit.ly/HASAThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6y
When Kasey Walsh's daughter was diagnosed with an ultra-rare genetic disorder, she discovered a frustrating paradox: researchers desperately needed insights from patient families, yet institutional barriers made it nearly impossible to capture the nuanced, lived experiences that could inform drug development and improve care. Drawing on her background as a healthcare service coordinator and her firsthand experience navigating rare disease research, Walsh created Winsights, a platform that transforms casual patient conversations into structured, regulatory-grade data while ensuring families retain ownership and control over how their contributions are used. Walsh, founder and CEO of Winsights, discusses her daughter's diagnostic journey, the critical gaps in how patient experience informs drug development, and how Winsights empowers rare disease communities to drive research priorities.
Florida was built on the legacies of men like Captain F. A. Hendry and the other cow men like him; men who created a solid economic foundation, gave generously to build their communities, and had a keen vision for the future. In this episode we examine Captain Hendry's life from his earliest days in South Georgia to his cattle empire and ultimately his navigation through the state's political channels to forge Lee and Hendry counties. Capturing the breadth of his vision and influence for Florida in this brief intro is practically impossible so be sure to tune in for the full story.
I recently joined the That Triathlon Show Podcast with Mikael Eriksson for a deep dive into freestyle technique and what I call the "swim technique hierarchy of needs." In this conversation, we break down the key elements of efficient swimming including breathing, body position, rotation, catch mechanics, timing, and how to adapt your stroke for open-water racing. We also discuss some of the most common mistakes triathletes make in the water, how to fix them, and why many swimmers plateau even when their technique looks good on video. We also get into topics like kick timing, front-quadrant swimming, stroke rate, drills that actually transfer to faster swimming, open-water skills, and what it really takes to become a strong swimmer as an adult-onset triathlete. If you're looking to swim faster, feel more efficient in the water, or better understand how to prioritize your technique work, this episode is packed with practical coaching insights you can apply right away. 03:37 A hierarchy of needs for freestyle technique 07:50 Building the frame of the body 12:20 Kick tempo and stroke rate 17:05 Training the Kick for racing options 18:40 Rotation 23:30 The catch and pull 29:32 YMCA Drill 35:10 Timing and creative freedom in racing 38:20 Speed versus stroke appearance 41:15 The importance of purposeful drills 46:05 Capturing your technique on camera 48:00 The nature of swim talent 52:46 Swim frequency and distance 57:00 Structuring swim workouts 59:01 Intensity distribution across swim sessions 01:03:30 Open water versus pool technique 01:07:20 The importance of drafting 01:08:36 Drafting and preparation for open water 01:15:50 - Racing bravely in the swim 01:18:42 -The Goggles 01:23:50 - Choosing the right lens for conditions
Capturing his first top championship in 13 years, the new Southland Championship Heavyweight Champion Logan Steel joined Windy City Slam for the first time to react to his victory over Benny Bargas this past weekend. Steel discussed The Brotherhood and The Torture Killers, Scott Spade's influence, training at POWW Entertainment's school, which towering Attitude Era wrestler he idolized, dream matches, what's next in his run as SCW Champion, the eight-man tag team championship match at POWW Summer Xplosion and more. Plus, Mike recaps Chicago Style Wrestling and previews AEW Double Or Nothing, Freelance Wrestling, AAW Pro, ARWPRO and C3 Ultimate Wrestling. Mike Pankow is a 25-year-plus professional journalist and wrestling superfan who covers local Chicagoland wrestling and national promotions like AEW and WWE. If there is something going on in Chicago, Mike knows about it. Enjoy “Wrestling, Chicago-Style” on The Broadcast Basement On-Demand Radio Network! Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com. Get your local wrestling fix every Tuesday everywhere podcasts can be found and always at WindyCitySlam.com!
Let's play... TRUE OR FALSE... about Anne Boleyn...on the day of her execution...Tune in, relax and get some Tudor closure.Welcome back, Heather R Darsie!Get The Judicial Murder of Anne Boleyn (...Henry VIII definitely did that...)https://www.amberley-books.com/if-any-person-will-meddle-of-my-cause.htmlFind Heather:https://maidensandmanuscripts.com/https://www.instagram.com/hdarsiehistoryRead Heather:https://www.amberley-books.com/katharine-of-aragon-spanish-princess.htmlhttps://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Stuart-Spouses-A-Compendium-of-Consorts-from-James-I-of-Scotland-to-Queen-Anne-of-Great-Britain-Hardback/p/51167/aid/1238https://www.amberley-books.com/anna-duchess-of-cleves-9781398103269.htmlhttps://www.amberley-books.com/children-of-the-house-of-cleves.htmlhttps://www.amberley-books.com/if-any-person-will-meddle-of-my-cause.htmlVisit Hever Castle...right now: https://www.hevercastle.co.uk/Capturing a Queen Exhibition:https://www.hevercastle.co.uk/whats-on/capturing-a-queen/Stay at Hever Castle:https://www.hevercastle.co.uk/stay/Find Baroque: https://www.instagram.com/ifitaintbaroquepodcast/https://www.instagram.com/natalieisahistorybuff/https://www.tiktok.com/@ifitaintbaroquepodcasthttps://x.com/BaroquePodcasthttps://www.tiktok.com/@reignoflondonhttps://bsky.app/profile/ifitaintbaroquepod.bsky.socialhttps://www.threads.com/@ifitaintbaroquepodcastSupport Baroque: https://www.patreon.com/c/Ifitaintbaroquepodcast/https://buymeacoffee.com/ifitaintbaroqueIf you would like to join Natalie on her walking tours with Reign of London:RMS Titanic: https://www.getyourguide.com/en-gb/london-l57/london-rms-titanic-walking-tour-t1246693/Saxons to Stuarts:https://www.getyourguide.com/london-l57/london-the-royal-british-kings-and-queens-walking-tour-t426011/Tudors & Stuarts:https://www.getyourguide.com/london-l57/royal-london-tudors-stuarts-walking-tour-t481355/The Georgians:https://www.getyourguide.com/london-l57/royal-london-the-georgians-walking-tour-t481358/Naughty London: https://www.getyourguide.com/london-l57/london-unsavory-history-guided-walking-tour-t428452/For more history fodder please visit https://www.ifitaintbaroquepodcast.art/ and https://www.reignoflondon.com/ . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
F-Stop Collaborate and Listen - A Landscape Photography Podcast
In this episode of F-Stop Collaborate and Listen, host Matt Payne chats with photographer Ulana Switucha about her deeply intentional, minimalist landscape photography and her decade-long project photographing Torii gates across Japan's spiritual and geographic landscapes. Ulana Switucha shares how living in Asia and practicing long exposure photography has shaped her contemplative approach, blending meditation, yoga philosophy, and presence in nature. The episode covers her photographic journey from childhood, her involvement in documentary street photography projects, the creative process behind her new book, and the technical and emotional challenges of sequencing and publishing a cohesive body of work. Listeners get tips on curating projects, insight into Japan's geography and spiritual traditions, and recommendations for other inspiring photographers to follow. Links and Resources: Ulana Switucha Ulana Switucha's Book, Torii Muench Workshops Support the show on Patreon Michael Kenna Photography Olivier Robert Photography Kino Seido Yukari Chikura Gui Christ Mark Kogel Austin Bell Matt Payne's Book, The Colorado Way
These episodes of #thePOZcast, live from Transform 2026 in Las Vegas, are proudly brought to you by our friends at PIN. AI recruiting tools that automate candidate sourcing, screening, and scheduling across 850M+ profiles. Built for recruiters, agencies, and hiring teams. Learn more and check out a demo: https://www.pin.com/book-a-demo?via=adam-posner Thanks for listening, and please follow us on Insta @NHPTalent and www.youtube.com/thePOZcast For all episodes, please check out www.thePOZcast.com Takeaways: 1. You Can't Improve What You Can't See The founding insight of BrightHire — and one of the most durable frameworks in this series — is that hiring is the most consequential activity in any business, yet it produces almost no data. Interview conversations happen, and then they're gone. Capturing them isn't surveillance; it's the minimum requirement for actually improving the process. 2. Comp Comes Up in Fewer Than 2% of Candidate Conversations The most surprising data point from BrightHire's 930,000-interview analysis: salary and compensation are almost never what candidates are actually talking about in interviews. What they are asking about: remote and flexible work, company growth trajectory, and product innovation. If your recruitment messaging is leading with comp, you're answering a question most candidates aren't asking. 3. Interview Data Is a Goldmine for Employer Brand Strategy Sliced by seniority, function, and location, BrightHire's interview data tells employers exactly what different candidate segments care about — giving TA teams real intelligence for outbound messaging, recruitment marketing, and preparing recruiters and interviewers to answer the questions candidates are actually going to ask. That's a fundamentally different input for employer brand strategy than surveys or focus groups. 4. Interview Fraud Is Real and Growing — and the Defense Is Already Built The use case nobody anticipated when BrightHire launched: using candidate video profiles to verify that the person who showed up for onboarding is the same person who interviewed. Dozens of customers have built SOPs around this capability. As AI-generated fraud becomes more sophisticated, the ability to cross-reference identity signals across the entire interview process is becoming a core compliance function, not a nice-to-have. 5. AI Interviewers Don't Replace Recruiters — They Give Them Better Candidates Recruiter reaction to BrightHire's AI interviewer product wasn't fear — it was relief. By expanding access at the top of the funnel, AI interviewers surface qualified candidates who would have been passed over due to capacity constraints, giving recruiters a better pool to work from and more time to do the high-value human work of cultivating and closing those candidates. 6. The Recruiter Who Adapts Has a Massive Advantage Teddy's view is direct: recruiting professionals who embrace agentic workflows will be elevated by them. Those who resist are going to find themselves on the wrong side of an irreversible shift. The profession has always evolved — and the ones who leaned into each evolution came out ahead. 7. AI Agents Are Taking on Longer, More Complex Tasks Than Most People Realize Teddy's personal experience in the last six weeks: watching an engineering colleague execute a complex multi-step task by telling his AI agent, 'Find Teddy's Slack and execute on what Teddy asked for' — and then quality-controlling the result. The length and complexity of what agents can handle autonomously is increasing faster than most people outside of engineering teams appreciate. 8. The Right Acquisition Is One That Protects Founder Velocity Teddy's framework for evaluating the Zoom acquisition: founder-led culture at the acquiring company, strong strategic alignment on product thesis, and a track record of enabling acquired companies to retain their brand, culture, and growth trajectory. Workvivo is the proof point. Being acquired by a company where the founder is still running the show at four billion in revenue is a different experience than getting absorbed into a conglomerate. 9. Customers Are Already Building What Vendors Are Selling The most clarifying thing Teddy saw on the conference floor: customers sharing the in-house AI workflows they've already built — and the framework they're using to decide what to outsource. If a tool doesn't touch PII, compliance, or regulatory requirements, they're building it themselves. The bar for defensibility has permanently moved upward, and every vendor on the floor needs to be honest about what's truly irreplaceable about what they offer. 10. Trust Is the Most Valuable Commodity in an AI-Flooded Market In a market where AI has lowered the cost of building software dramatically, vendors are proliferating and noise is at an all-time high. Teddy's observation is that the differentiator in this environment is old-fashioned: trust, integrity, post-sales investment, and actually showing up and delivering on promises. Easy to lose, hard to build — and more valuable than ever precisely because it's become rare. CHAPTERS: 00:00 – Introduction & Congrats on the Acquisition Adam welcomes Teddy Chestnut, co-founder of BrightHire, fresh off the company's acquisition by Zoom. 02:00 – Born Into Recruiting: The Origin Story Both parents in HR for 30 years. Dad met mom as a recruiter. A childhood of dinner table conversations about comp plans — and how that led to BrightHire. 05:00 – The Problem Statement That Started It All Hiring is the most important decision in business, yet treated with less rigor than a $15,000 software purchase. You can't improve what you can't see. 07:30 – 2019: A Crazy Idea That Turned Out to Be Right Pitching interview recording before LLMs, before COVID, before the world normalized AI in meetings — and how the pandemic validated the thesis overnight. 10:00 – The First Customer Who Asked If They Were Charging Enough BrightHire's first beta customer asked if they were making money on the deal. The signal that they were onto something real. 12:30 – From Resistance to Commonplace: The Adoption Journey How resistance to recording interviews dissolved as recording became normalized across all business meetings — and how the conversation shifted to unlocking insights. 15:00 – 930,000 Interviews: What the Data Says The striking finding: comp comes up in fewer than 2% of candidate conversations. What candidates are actually asking about: remote work, company growth, and product innovation. 18:30 – Turning Interview Data Into Employer Brand Intelligence How BrightHire slices that data by seniority, function, and location to give customers real intelligence for outbound messaging, recruitment marketing, and interviewer prep. 21:00 – Interview Fraud: The Use Case Nobody Saw Coming The email that changed BrightHire's roadmap: using candidate thumbnail profiles to verify that the person at onboarding was the same person who interviewed. 24:00 – AI Interviewers: The Next Frontier BrightHire's conviction that AI interviewers expand access — and the recruiter reaction: "This is a godsend because I'm getting better candidates I would have passed over otherwise." 27:00 – The Recruiter Who Adapts vs. The One Who Goes Extinct Recruiters who embrace agentic workflows gain time for high-value human work. Those who resist are on the wrong side of an inevitable shift. 29:30 – Agents Are Taking on Longer-Range Tasks What Teddy witnessed in the last six weeks: a colleague executing a complex task by telling his agent "Find Teddy's Slack and execute on what Teddy asked for." 32:00 – The Zoom Acquisition: Why It Was the Right Move Founder-led culture, strong product thesis alignment, and the Workvivo track record as proof that Zoom enables acquired companies to thrive independently. 35:00 – What Impressed Teddy Most on the Conference Floor Not a vendor product — the in-house AI workflows customers have already built, and the framework they're using to decide what to outsource vs. build themselves. 38:00 – Trust Is the Most Valuable Commodity in AI-Flooded Markets In a market where building AI products is cheap and vendors are proliferating, the only truly defensible asset is trust — brand, integrity, and delivering on promises.
Send us Fan MailWhat if the most powerful story in a national park isn't the landscape — it's the people inside it?NYU-trained filmmaker, Explorers Club member, and director Brendan Hall joins us to share the journey behind Out There: A National Parks Story — a feature documentary seven years in the making, born from a post-graduation road trip across 10,000 miles of America's public lands.Brendan opens up about the Grand Canyon moment under the Milky Way that redirected his entire filmmaking career, how two friends with no plan found trail builder Gary in Acadia simply by asking a librarian, and why his relationship with Yosemite has evolved from a solo sunrise at Tunnel View to a surprise engagement in El Capitan Meadow.We cover the human tapestry behind the film: Jack Gladstone's Blackfeet stories at Glacier, photographer QT Luong's overlooked legacy, and a filmmaking philosophy built around accessibility over conquest. Brendan also reflects on his time as a selected crew member of the Dear Moon mission, what an Antarctica voyage with Neil deGrasse Tyson and William Shatner revealed about our planet, and how to carry hope in the face of ecological grief — from bleached coral reefs to smoke-filled wilderness.Out There has screened at 25+ festivals and 75+ community events nationwide. A screening tour and digital release with nonprofit partnerships are rolling out through 2026.Screenings & updates: outthere.filmEpisode Links:Brendan on InstagramOut There Film on InstagramBrendan's WebsiteThis episode was Produced by Jordyn Smith, follow her on Instagram @jordyn.journeysFollow us on Instagram, @HikesandmicsThis episode's music was created by Ketsa, follow him on Instagram @Ketsamusic AllTrails+I'm excited to share that I'm now a Trailheads Ambassador for AllTrails+! If you love exploring the outdoors, AllTrails+ is your ultimate adventure companion. Get offline maps, real-time wrong-turn alerts, and trail previews to help you hike smarter and safer. Plus, with 3D maps and deeper trail insights, planning your next trek has never been easier.Try AllTrails+ free for 7 days, and when you sign up using my referral link, you'll get 30% off your AllTrails+ membership!Sign up here: AllTrails+ (promo is only redeemable via web and not the app)Ursa Minor Outfitters - Inspired by the outdoors, Created by local artists Go check them at www.ursaminoroutfitters.com and don't forget to enter the promo code HikesMics10 at checkout to receive 10% off your order.
This episode marks the first official installment of our brand-new segment, The Bigfoot Inquiry — a new evidence-driven series where Brian King-Sharp and Dr. Hogan Sherrow take on the Bigfoot topics most people in the community either avoid, dismiss, or simply refuse to talk about honestly.This will most likely become a weekly segment, with Hogan and Brian digging into the claims, controversies, evidence, personalities, and long-standing debates that continue to shape the Sasquatch world.And for the first episode, there may be no bigger place to begin than with the most famous piece of Bigfoot evidence ever captured: the Patterson-Gimlin Film.For decades, the PGF has stood at the center of the Bigfoot debate. To some, it is the strongest visual evidence ever recorded of an unknown North American primate. To others, it is nothing more than a well-executed hoax. But with the release of the new documentary Capturing Bigfoot, new questions, perspectives, and claims are being brought into the conversation — some of which may challenge what we know, or at least what we think we know, about the film.So what happens when 16 years of law enforcement experience meets nearly 30 years of primate behavioral research? That's the foundation of The Bigfoot Inquiry.Hosted by former police officer Brian King-Sharp and Dr. Hogan Sherrow, PhD in Evolutionary Anthropology, this segment approaches the Sasquatch phenomenon through two very different but complementary lenses: real investigative procedure and scientific analysis. Brian brings 16 years of experience analyzing crime scenes, evaluating witness credibility, reconstructing events, and asking the uncomfortable questions that often separate assumption from evidence. Dr. Sherrow brings nearly three decades of studying primate behavioral ecology in the wild, with expertise in locomotion, habitat, social behavior, evolutionary biology, and the realities of how primates move, survive, adapt, and leave evidence behind. Together, Brian and Hogan examine Bigfoot claims with structure, skepticism, curiosity, and respect.In this debut episode, they dive into: The enduring mystery of the Patterson-Gimlin Film• Why the film still matters nearly six decades later• The arguments for and against its authenticity• The new questions raised by the Capturing Bigfoot documentary• What law enforcement-style analysis can bring to the PGF debate• What primate behavior and evolutionary anthropology can reveal• Why some evidence deserves closer scrutiny — even when it makes people uncomfortable.This is not campfire storytelling. It is not blind belief. And it is not mockery. It is structured inquiry Because if Sasquatch exists, the evidence should be able to withstand scrutiny. And if it does not — we will say that too.Email BrianGet Our FREE NewsletterGet Brian's Books Leave Us A VoicemailVisit Our WebsiteBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sasquatch-odyssey--4839697/support.Have you had a Bigfoot encounter, Sasquatch sighting, Dogman experience, or other cryptid or paranormal encounter? We'd love to hear your story. Email brian@paranormalworldproductions.com to be featured on a future episode of Sasquatch Odyssey.Sasquatch Odyssey is a leading Bigfoot and cryptid podcast exploring real encounters, field research, and scientific analysis of the Sasquatch phenomenon.Follow the show and turn on automatic downloads so you never miss an episode.
Fluent Fiction - Dutch: Capturing Spring's Magic: A Tulip Adventure at Keukenhof Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/nl/episode/2026-05-17-07-38-20-nl Story Transcript:Nl: In het hart van de lente pronkeren de kleurrijke tulpen van de Keukenhof als een zee van bloemen onder een heldere blauwe lucht.En: In the heart of spring, the colorful tulpen of the Keukenhof flaunted like a sea of flowers under a bright blue sky.Nl: Anouk, Bram en Sanne stonden aan de ingang, voldaan van anticipatie.En: Anouk, Bram, and Sanne stood at the entrance, filled with anticipation.Nl: Anouk hield haar camera stevig vast.En: Anouk held her camera firmly.Nl: Ze zocht naar het perfecte beeld voor de fotografiewedstrijd.En: She was searching for the perfect image for the photography contest.Nl: Haar ogen schitterden bij elke bloem die ze zag.En: Her eyes sparkled at every flower she saw.Nl: Bram schudde zijn hoofd.En: Bram shook his head.Nl: "Er zijn zoveel bloemen. Waarom niet gewoon eentje kiezen en klaar?"En: "There are so many flowers. Why not just pick one and be done?"Nl: Maar Anouk glimlachte alleen en liep door.En: But Anouk only smiled and walked on.Nl: Sanne huppelde langzaam achter hen aan.En: Sanne skipped slowly behind them.Nl: Ze was in haar eigen wereld, dromen aan het schetsen in haar gedachten.En: She was in her own world, sketching dreams in her mind.Nl: Ze hield van de kleuren, het spektakel van de natuur.En: She loved the colors, the spectacle of nature.Nl: De paden waren druk met bezoekers.En: The paths were busy with visitors.Nl: Overal waar ze keken waren mensen foto's aan het maken.En: Everywhere they looked, people were taking pictures.Nl: Anouk voelde de druk.En: Anouk felt the pressure.Nl: Hoe moest ze hier het perfecte shot maken?En: How was she supposed to take the perfect shot here?Nl: Haar vrienden begonnen onrustig te worden.En: Her friends were starting to get restless.Nl: "Anouk, we willen ook andere delen van het park zien," zei Bram.En: "Anouk, we also want to see other parts of the park," Bram said.Nl: "Ja," voegde Sanne toe, "we kunnen later weer afspreken."En: "Yes," Sanne added, "we can catch up later."Nl: Anouk viel hun woorden bij.En: Anouk agreed with them.Nl: Ze besloot een stillere hoek van het park op te zoeken, dus splitsten ze even op.En: She decided to seek a quieter corner of the park, so they parted ways for a while.Nl: Anouk dwaalde verder door de weelderige tuinen.En: Anouk wandered further through the lush gardens.Nl: Ineens zag ze een verborgen pad dat naar een rustig gedeelte leidde.En: Suddenly, she saw a hidden path that led to a quiet section.Nl: In een afgelegen deel van het park, onder de schaduw van een oude eik, ontdekte Anouk een zeldzame tulpensoort.En: In a secluded part of the park, under the shade of an old oak, Anouk discovered a rare tulip variety.Nl: Het was alsof de tulpen haar roep hadden gehoord.En: It was as if the tulpen had heard her call.Nl: De heldere kleuren dansten in de zachte wind.En: The bright colors danced in the gentle wind.Nl: Ze zette snel haar camera op en vond precies de juiste hoek.En: She quickly set up her camera and found just the right angle.Nl: De zon zakte achter de horizon.En: The sun was setting behind the horizon.Nl: Tijd was beperkt.En: Time was limited.Nl: De schaduwen veranderden snel.En: The shadows were changing quickly.Nl: Ze ademde diep in, stelde zich scherp, en klikte.En: She breathed deeply, focused herself, and clicked.Nl: In dat moment voelde ze de magie van de spontane momenten, net zoals Sanne altijd zei.En: In that moment, she felt the magic of spontaneous moments, just like Sanne always said.Nl: Later, bij de uitgang, vond ze Bran en Sanne terug.En: Later, at the exit, she found Bram and Sanne again.Nl: Bram was opgetogen; hij had eindelijk de schoonheid van de tulpen ontdekt vanuit een architecturaal perspectief.En: Bram was elated; he had finally discovered the beauty of the tulpen from an architectural perspective.Nl: „De ordening, de structuur, het is als een schilderij in de natuur!” zei hij enthousiast.En: "The arrangement, the structure, it's like a painting in nature!" he said excitedly.Nl: Sanne lachte en knikte instemmend.En: Sanne laughed and nodded in agreement.Nl: Anouk liet haar foto zien en ze waren onder de indruk.En: Anouk showed her photo and they were impressed.Nl: De opname was prachtig.En: The shot was beautiful.Nl: „Misschien wil ik toch ook eens een foto maken,” zei Bram, met een nieuwe glinstering in zijn ogen.En: "Maybe I want to take a picture after all," Bram said, with a new sparkle in his eyes.Nl: De vrienden verlieten de tuin, verrijkt met nieuwe bewondering voor de wereld om hen heen en de spontane schoonheden die elke dag brengt.En: The friends left the garden, enriched with newfound appreciation for the world around them and the spontaneous beauties each day brings. Vocabulary Words:sea: zeeentrance: ingangfirmly: stevigsparkled: schitterdensketching: schetsenpaths: padenvisitors: bezoekerspressure: drukrestless: onrustigquieter: stillereparted: splitstenwandered: dwaaldelush: weelderigehidden: verborgensecluded: afgelegenshade: schaduwvariety: soortlimited: beperktspontaneous: spontaneelated: opgetogenarrangement: ordeningstructure: structuurpainting: schilderijimpressed: onder de indruksparkle: glinsteringenriched: verrijktappreciation: bewonderinghorizon: horizongentle: zachtefocused: scherp
Fluent Fiction - Danish: Capturing Spring: Lars' Photographic Journey in Tivoli Gardens Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/da/episode/2026-05-17-07-38-19-da Story Transcript:Da: Tivoli Gardens blomstrer om foråret.En: Tivoli Gardens bloom in the spring.Da: Farverne af tulipaner og tulipaner lyser op langs stierne.En: The colors of tulips and tulips brighten up the paths.Da: Det er Lars' første besøg i Tivoli, og hans kamera er fast i hånden.En: It is Lars' first visit to Tivoli, and his camera is firmly in his hand.Da: Han leder efter det perfekte billede, det der indfanger forårets ånd i København.En: He is searching for the perfect picture, one that captures the spirit of spring in Copenhagen.Da: Ved siden af Lars går Erik, hans ældre bror, som ikke kan lade være med at drille.En: Next to Lars walks Erik, his older brother, who can't help but tease.Da: "Du tror, du finder noget særligt her?"En: "Do you think you're going to find something special here?"Da: spørger Erik med et smil.En: Erik asks with a smile.Da: "Det er bare et tivoli."En: "It's just a carnival."Da: Lars lytter kun halvt.En: Lars only half listens.Da: Han drages af lysene, lydene og de smilende ansigter omkring ham.En: He is drawn by the lights, the sounds, and the smiling faces around him.Da: Erik fortsætter, "Måske skal du bare nyde festen i stedet for at jage et billede."En: Erik continues, "Maybe you should just enjoy the party instead of chasing a picture."Da: Denne kommentar rammer Lars.En: This comment hits Lars.Da: Med en let rynke i panden beslutter han at vove sig længere ind i parken.En: With a slight furrow in his brow, he decides to venture further into the park.Da: Han ved, at Sofie, hans barndomsven, arbejder her.En: He knows that Sofie, his childhood friend, works here.Da: Måske kan hun vise ham et sted uden alle de mennesker.En: Maybe she can show him a spot without all the people.Da: Sofie finder han ved en bod fyldt med farverige balloner.En: He finds Sofie at a stall filled with colorful balloons.Da: "Hej Lars!En: "Hi Lars!Da: Hvordan går det?"En: How's it going?"Da: Hun smiler varmt til ham og ser straks hans bekymrede blik.En: She smiles warmly at him and immediately sees his concerned look.Da: "Jeg har brug for at finde et roligt sted," siger Lars.En: "I need to find a quiet place," Lars says.Da: "Jeg vil tage et billede, som virkelig siger noget."En: "I want to take a picture that really says something."Da: Sofie nikker forstående.En: Sofie nods understandingly.Da: "Jeg kender lige stedet.En: "I know just the place.Da: Følg mig."En: Follow me."Da: De går gennem smalle veje, der fører væk fra larmen.En: They walk through narrow paths that lead away from the noise.Da: De ender ved en lille sø omringet af blomster og med udsigt over hele parken.En: They end up at a small lake surrounded by flowers with a view over the entire park.Da: Lars føler øjeblikkelig ro.En: Lars feels an immediate calm.Da: "Sofie, dette er perfekt," siger Lars taknemmeligt.En: "Sofie, this is perfect," says Lars gratefully.Da: Idet aftenen falder på, holder Lars fast om sit kamera.En: As evening descends, Lars holds his camera tightly.Da: Sofie og Erik står ved hans side.En: Sofie and Erik stand by his side.Da: Erik taler nu mere stille, måske også påvirket af stedets skønhed.En: Erik speaks more softly now, perhaps also influenced by the beauty of the place.Da: "Det ville være et flot billede," siger Erik med et anerkendende nik.En: "It would make a beautiful picture," says Erik with an approving nod.Da: Pludselig brager fyrværkeriet over himlen.En: Suddenly, fireworks burst over the sky.Da: Farver eksploderer, og Lars trykker på udløseren på det helt rigtige tidspunkt.En: Colors explode, and Lars presses the shutter at just the right moment.Da: Klik!En: Click!Da: Han har det.En: He's got it.Da: Det perfekte billede.En: The perfect picture.Da: Lars ser på skærmen.En: Lars looks at the screen.Da: Hans ansigt lyser op.En: His face lights up.Da: Han har fanget magien af Tivoli og foråret.En: He has captured the magic of Tivoli and spring.Da: Selv Erik kan ikke skjule sin overraskelse.En: Even Erik can't hide his surprise.Da: "Det er virkelig flot, Lars," siger han med oprigtig beundring.En: "That's really beautiful, Lars," he says with genuine admiration.Da: Lars går fra parken med en følelse af sejr.En: Lars leaves the park with a feeling of triumph.Da: Han har ikke kun fundet det rette billede, men også troen på sig selv.En: He has not only found the right picture but also the belief in himself.Da: Erik smiler til ham, en stille anerkendelse af hans brors talent.En: Erik smiles at him, a silent acknowledgment of his brother's talent.Da: En ny selvtillid spirer i Lars.En: A new confidence blooms in Lars.Da: Tivoli vil altid være et minde om ikke kun et storslået billede, men også om at stole på sin egen vision.En: Tivoli will always be a memory of not just a magnificent picture but also of trusting his own vision.Da: Endnu en forårsdag er ved at slutte, men Lars' rejse som fotograf er kun lige begyndt.En: Another spring day is coming to an end, but Lars' journey as a photographer is just beginning. Vocabulary Words:bloom: blomstrerbrighten: lyser opfirmly: fastspirit: åndtease: drilledrawn: dragesventure: vove sigconcerned: bekymredequiet: roligtnarrow: smalleimmediate: øjeblikkeligcalm: rogratefully: taknemmeligtdescends: falder påburst: bragerexplode: eksploderershutter: udløserentriumph: sejracknowledgment: anerkendelsetalent: talentconfidence: selvtillidmagnificent: storslåettrusting: stole påvision: visionjourney: rejsecapture: fangerapprove: anerkendendeadmiration: beundringbelief: troenspring: forårsdag
Despite geopolitical tensions, US equity markets have reached record highs, with artificial intelligence at the heart of this surge. What is driving these historic moves? How are investors positioning themselves to both capture the opportunities and manage the risks? In this episode of The View Beyond, Bernadette Anderko is joined by Carsten Menke, Head of Next Generation Research at Julius Baer, and Manuel Villegas, Co-Manager of the Julius Baer Next Generation Equity Fund. They explore the rapid development of AI, the unprecedented growth in data centre infrastructure, and the evolving dynamics of the global value chain. The discussion covers the shift from AI training to inference, the critical role of memory and hardware, bottlenecks in data centre buildout, and the implications of rising capital expenditure by hyperscalers. Their conversation also examines the international nature of the AI value chain, the impact of regulatory and supply constraints, and the outlook for investors as monetisation accelerates across the sector.(00:00) - Introduction (00:56) - AI's impact on the tech landscape (03:56) - Hardware vs. software (05:22) - Capturing the AI infrastructure super cycle (09:01) - Data centre bottlenecks and constraints (10:43) - Inflationary pressures (13:27) - The politics of data centre construction (14:52) - Hyperscaler earnings (18:16) - How AI investments are translating into tangible revenues (19:49) - Performance, positioning, and valuation (20:53) - Winners, sector rotation, and the importance of Asia's supply chain (23:16) - The global nature of the AI value chain (24:22) - Scenarios for cloud computing and AI (24:56) - View on sub sectors for remainder of 2026 (27:11) - Closing remarks and legal disclaimer Would you like to support this show? Please leave us a review and star rating on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
In this episode, Jason Li, CTO of Laurel, reveals how the company is turning timesheets into the AI playbook for the entire knowledge-work economy. Jason breaks down why $2,000/hour lawyers still spend Saturdays manually filling out time in six-minute increments, how Laurel's AI platform automatically captures every click, email, and meeting, and why data (not code) is the only real moat left in the age of the SaaSpocalypse. Jason shares how Ernst & Young is using Laurel to identify high-leverage work, why Laurel deliberately integrates with "decades-old" software like Classic Outlook that most startups ignore, and the counter-intuitive reason your best rainmakers should never be forced into cookie-cutter roles again. He also explains why Laurel doesn't train its own LLM, how they run AI feedback loops that self-iterate prompts, and the frameworks leaders can use to actually measure AI ROI instead of just surveying "did it help?" Key Topics Covered: Why "what gets measured gets managed" is the most important rule in AI adoption The Moneyball insight that changed how Jason thinks about metrics How Laurel auto-generates timesheets for lawyers and accountants Why Ernst & Young chose Laurel for their tax group The hidden cost of manual timesheets for $2K/hour professionals How Laurel maps knowledge work to a company's "work ontology" Why decades-old software (Classic Outlook) is a competitive moat, not a liability The SaaSpocalypse: what survives when AI eats applications How to measure if an AI tool actually delivers ROI Why data, not models, is the real defensible asset in AI Episode Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 00:25 - The Peter Drucker quote that shaped Jason's career 02:49 - A Moneyball analogy for AI adoption 03:25 - What Laurel actually does: the AI platform that maps time to outcomes 07:19 - Why every business (not just law firms) needs time visibility 09:17 - Inside the Ernst & Young deployment 12:27 - Jason's journey to becoming CTO at Laurel 14:21 - Live product demo: Laurel's work ontology engine 17:49 - How AI shifts the line between high and low leverage work 21:15 - What onboarding a 2,000-person firm actually looks like 23:06 - The technical architecture behind Laurel's desktop client 28:35 - Why Laurel doesn't train its own LLM 29:39 - How Laurel handles AI models "getting worse" overnight 33:35 - Capturing time for work that doesn't happen on a computer 37:17 - AI adoption meets employee behavior change 41:54 - The SaaSpocalypse and why Laurel's moat is data, not software 48:00 - Why Jason left Ironclad to join Laurel 51:16 - Jason's answer to The AI Why's signature closing question Jason Li's Socials: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonhli/ Laurel: https://www.laurel.ai Partner Links Upgrade your AI toolkit: https://www.theaireport.ai/ai-executive-pass Subscribe to our free newsletter: https://newsletter.theaireport.ai/subscribe Join the community: www.theaireport.ai/leaders-launch-guide Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, Dr. Emerson returns to Spill the Mead to revisit the captivating Capturing a Queen exhibit at Hever castle and discuss some of the details he couldn't fully speak on during our first conversation. We talk more about the exhibit itself, the portraits on display, and the stories surrounding Anne Boleyn.Then, naturally, things descend slightly into chaos as we play a game assigning personalities to different Anne Boleyn portraits — including which Anne would have ACTUALLY worn yellow that day (IYKYK), and which Anne would be the most fun to get a drink with.Part historical discussion, part portrait analysis, and part tavern chaos, this episode is a deeper and much more relaxed follow-up conversation exploring the many faces of Anne Boleyn.Be sure to check out Hever Castle & Gardens for more information on this amazing, once in a lifetime exhibit.Also check out Dr. Emmerson's website for more on his research, books, and upcoming events: Dr Owen Emmerson – Dr Owen EmmersonAD FREE LISTENING on Patreon as well as tons of extra content! Please consider supporting us on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/c/spillthemeadYou can purchase Spill the Mead merchandise here https://linkpop.com/spillthemeadpodcast/Find us on Instagram, and Facebook @spillthemeadpodcastFind Madi @myladygervais on InstagramFind Dr. Emmerson @drowenemmerson Music is composed by Nicholas Leigh nicholasleighmusic.com
This week on The Strange Motion Way Podcast, Tim and Carrie Strange sit down with legendary photographer Randy Lorentzen to talk about the art of capturing the people behind the automotive industry. Known for his incredible studio photography, portrait work and ability to tell stories through a single image, Randy has photographed some of the biggest names in hot rodding, and custom car culture. From magazine features and iconic cover shots to behind-the-scenes moments with builders, racers and industry legends, Randy shares what it takes to create images that leave a lasting impact. Not to mention the eye candy!In this episode we talk about:• Creating unforgettable studio shots and automotive portraits• Photographing legendary builders, racers and industry personalities• Behind-the-scenes stories from magazine shoots and feature cars• Lighting, creativity and the evolution of automotive photography• Capturing emotion, personality and storytelling through the lens• Some of Randy's favorite people and photo moments throughout his career• The relationships and trust built while photographing automotive legendsThis episode is packed with stories, creativity and an inside look at the people who helped shape automotive culture through photography and media.
Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL - A TWR FILM PROJECT Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he dives into today's top stories shaping America and the world. In this episode of The Wright Report, Bryan explains why President Trump is racing against the clock to lower gas prices, ease grocery bills, and stabilize the economy before early voting begins in the midterm elections, all while the war with Iran continues to squeeze global oil markets and the Strait of Hormuz remains jammed. He breaks down Trump's push to suspend federal gas and diesel taxes, the challenges of lowering beef prices through foreign imports, and why June 1 may be a critical deadline for reopening the Strait of Hormuz before global oil markets face deeper long-term damage. Bryan also examines whether the GOP has a backup plan to hold the House and Senate if voters remain frustrated with inflation, energy prices, housing costs, and the economic fallout from the Iran war. Plus, Bryan covers a controversial rise in cloud seeding and geoengineering efforts from Malaysia to the American West, warning that efforts to manipulate rainfall may carry real risks without stronger oversight. He also highlights the darker side of the AI revolution, including Chinese companies using AI-generated fake American businesses to scam consumers, before closing with hopeful medical news on AI-assisted pancreatic cancer detection, ER diagnosis, and a fascinating study showing that babies in the womb may "catch" yawns from their mothers. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32 Keywords: Trump gas tax suspension 2026 diesel prices Iran war impact, Strait of Hormuz June 1 deadline global oil market crisis, beef prices foreign import quota Trump grocery bills, midterm elections GOP House Senate forecast 2026, Alabama redistricting Supreme Court House seats Cook Political Report, cloud seeding geo engineering Rainmaker drones Utah Idaho drought, Malaysia rice drought cloud seeding military planes, Chinese AI scam fake American businesses online shopping fraud, AI pancreatic cancer detection ER diagnosis OpenAI study, fetal yawning mother baby AI research, Bryan Dean Wright podcast, The Wright Report
At Marketecture Live, David Dworin, Chief Product Officer, FreeWheel, with Mike Treon, Head of CTV Strategy, PMG, shares how AI and agentic workflows are reshaping marketing and media operations. From accelerating campaign execution to enabling real-time decision making, David dives into how AI is unlocking speed, scale, and creativity across programmatic ecosystems. This conversation highlights how building with AI is not just about efficiency, but about fundamentally improving marketing performance. Takeaways • AI agents dramatically increase workflow speed and campaign output • Automation removes friction from reporting and analysis processes • Custom workflows can now be built rapidly outside traditional development cycles • Clean, connected data is critical for AI-driven decision making • Marketers are shifting toward becoming technology-enabled operators • AI enables deeper campaign optimization through micro segmentation • Capturing institutional knowledge allows repeatable and scalable execution Chapters 00:10 Introduction to David Dworin and AI in marketing 01:04 AI and agents enter the spotlight in media workflows 02:19 Faster development and collaboration with AI tools 02:35 Rapid prototyping and idea validation with AI 03:24 Transforming CTV campaign management with automation 04:50 AI agents handling daily campaign analysis tasks 05:53 Automating workflows to unlock productivity gains 06:35 The role of Alley and structured data in AI readiness 09:07 Balancing scalable products with rapid experimentation 10:37 Rise of vibe coding and agentic engineering 12:01 Alley Labs and democratizing internal innovation 14:06 Built-in vs built-on AI product strategy 15:17 The future of programmatic flexibility and APIs 16:36 Empowering marketers to build with AI 18:32 Importance of documenting workflows for AI success 20:04 AI infrastructure, APIs, and customization at FreeWheel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Luke Wallace is the founder and CEO of Flowstate, the AI-powered surf video and analysis platform changing the way surfers capture, review, and improve their surfing. On this episode of The Lineup with Dave Prodan, Luke breaks down his journey from growing up in Sydney and working in music, marketing, and tech to building one of surfing's most innovative technology companies. He explains how Flowstate evolved from wave pool video automation into a global surf progression platform now operating across some of the world's most advanced surf parks and major WSL events. Fresh off the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro Presented by GWM, Luke dives into how Flowstate captured many of the iconic free surf clips seen from Snapper Rocks during the event window and why automated surf analysis is becoming a game changer for everyone from CT athletes to everyday surfers. Dave and Luke unpack the potential in AI-powered maneuver recognition, automated coaching tools, wave ranking systems, and what the future could look like for surf coaching and training. Luke also shares insights into the rapid rise of wave pools worldwide, why Texas could become a future surf hub, and how technology is reshaping surf culture, competition, and progression. Follow Luke Wallace here and Flowstate here. Learn more about Flowstate, download, and try it out today! Relive the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro Presented by GWM. Stay tuned to the Corona Cero New Zealand Pro Presented by Bonsoy, May 15 - 25. Join the The Lineup Podcast Mega League Fantasy and the Lineup Podcast Brackets for your chance to win Prizes! Terms and conditions apply. Stay up to date with the rankings. Get the latest merch at the WSL Store! Use code LINEUP at checkout for FREE shipping. Join the conversation by following The Lineup podcast with Dave Prodan on Instagram and subscribing to our YouTube channel. Get the latest WSL rankings, news, and event info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Lured Up Podcast 393 Live Streamed on - 5/5/2026 Publish Date - 5/8/2026 Listen to this episode ad free on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/PokemonProfessor We are very excited to welcome LandorAlpha back to the show! We have known Joe for many years and have been a major fan of his from the beginning. His dedication to creating content that combines entertainment and information with incredible production value and a positive focus has earned him the respect of many core Trainers in the community. He covers the game with a positive lens, focusing on gameplay, community, and of course, the grind. We start of by learning about his approach to content, and how he has recently added a community focus to his gameplay experiences, which in our opinion, is the perfect compliment to his content style. Capturing the community experience, along with creating memories off camera, brings an organic feel and a relatable perspective. Like us, Lando feels that the future of this game is in the hands of new Trainers, which is why being there to foster a great experience is so important. You wouldn't expect it after watching some LandorAlpha content, but he is creating part time, as he still works full time outside of his content. This brings a unique motive and workflow that makes you think and consider things differently. When TikTok was off the app store for a few days, it was a direct blow to his content. This created an epiphany of understanding that while you may be creating the content, it is the platform that holds all the chips. Enter, Spawn Point, LandorAlpha's weekly Pokémon GO Newsletter. A project that not only provides valuable info to Trainers worldwide, but one that is completely owned an operated by Joe. This security is important and shows the street smart approach to protecting content. We relate to this and admire how he has rolled this project out, making it exceptionally easy for Trainers to sign up. The newsletters provide complete game and event information for the week, while also aggregating all relevant and important links in a single place. After the break we talk GO Fest and how the IRL experience is like no other. Looking back on some of our favorite GO Memories and GO Fest stories. We rate our favorite park and city experience cities, and start the hype train for Chicago. Make sure you connect with LandorAlpha on all of his platforms, and be sure to subscribe to the newsletter! LandorAlpha's Links - https://landoralpha.tv/ Subscribe to LandorAlpha's Newsletter - https://landoralpha.beehiiv.com/ LuredUp@PokemonProfessor.com | Voicemail and SMS: 732-835-8639 Grab some merch: https://crowdmade.com/collections/professornetwork Connect with us on multiple platforms! https://linktr.ee/LuredUp Hosts Ken Pescatore Adam Tuttle Writer and Producer Ken Pescatore Executive Producer Xander Show music provided by GameChops and licensed through Creative Commons ▾ FOLLOW GAMECHOPS ▾ http://instagram.com/GameChops http://twitter.com/GameChops http://soundcloud.com/GameChops http://facebook.com/GameChops http://youtube.com/GameChops http://www.gamechops.com Intro Music Lake Verity (Drum & Bass Remix) Tetracase GameChops - Ultraball http://gamechops.com/ultraball/ https://soundcloud.com/tetracase https://soundcloud.com/MegaFlare0 Break Music National Park Mikel & GameChops GameChops - Poké & Chill http://smarturl.it/pokechill https://twitter.com/mikel_beats Outro Music Vast Poni Canyon CG5 & GlitchxCity (Future Bass Remix) GameChops - Ultraball http://gamechops.com/ultraball/ http://soundcloud.com/cg5-beats https://soundcloud.com/glitchxcity Pokémon And All Respective Names are Trademark and © of Nintendo 1996-2025 Pokémon GO is Trademark and © of Niantic, Inc.Lured Up and the Pokémon Professor Network are not affiliated with Niantic Inc., The Pokémon Company, Game Freak or Nintendo. #pokemon #pokemongo #podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Fluent Fiction - Hungarian: Capturing Time and Love at Budapest's Secret Garden Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/hu/episode/2026-05-08-07-38-19-hu Story Transcript:Hu: Bence szemében a halászbástya titkos kertként tűnt fel, tündöklő tavaszi napfényben fürödve.En: To Bence, the Halászbástya appeared as a secret garden, basking in radiant spring sunshine.Hu: A tornyok és boltívek az építészet csodájaként magasodtak Budapesten, ahol minden kövön múlt századok emlékei rejlettek.En: The towers and arches rose as architectural marvels in Budapest, where each stone concealed memories of past centuries.Hu: Bence egyre csak a tökéletes fotó után kutatott. Szíve izgatottan dobbant, miközben a fényképezőgépével a legjobb szög keresésére indult.En: Bence was on an endless quest for the perfect photo, his heart pounding with excitement as he set out to find the best angle with his camera.Hu: Réka a bástya köveit simította, mintha régi barátokat üdvözölne.En: Réka gently traced the stones of the bastion, as if greeting old friends.Hu: Szerette a történelmet és azokat a történeteket, amiket a falak magukba zártak.En: She loved history and the stories locked within the walls.Hu: A halászbástya olyan volt számára, mint egy időutazás.En: To her, the Halászbástya felt like time travel.Hu: Közben Zoltán, a lelkes idegenvezető, csoportját irányította.En: Meanwhile, Zoltán, the enthusiastic tour guide, was leading his group.Hu: Energiája megfertőzte az embereket, elmesélte a Halászbástya múltját és legendáit.En: His energy was contagious, as he recounted the history and legends of the Halászbástya.Hu: De Bence figyelmét valami más vonzotta.En: But Bence's attention was drawn elsewhere.Hu: Réka volt az.En: It was Réka who captivated him.Hu: Bence és Réka akaratlanul is egymás mellett álltak meg, amikor Zoltán egy különleges részhez ért.En: Bence and Réka unintentionally found themselves standing side by side when Zoltán reached a special section.Hu: Réka meglátta Bence zavaros tekintetét, ahogy a turisták között helyet próbált találni.En: Réka noticed Bence's confused look as he tried to find a spot among the tourists.Hu: "Próbáld onnan," javasolta Réka, utalva a bástya egyik rejtett zugára.En: "Try from there," she suggested, indicating one of the bastion's hidden corners.Hu: Bence elfogadta a tanácsot.En: Bence took her advice.Hu: "Nagyszerű ötlet," mosolygott hálásan.En: "Great idea," he smiled appreciatively.Hu: Együtt sétáltak át a falak mellett, Réka mesélni kezdett a vár elmúlt kori lakóiról és a Duna túlpartjáról, ahol az idő szinte megállt.En: They walked together along the walls, while Réka began to recount tales of the castle's past inhabitants and the opposite bank of the Danube, where time seemed to stand still.Hu: Ahogy az egyik eldugott részhez értek, a kilátás lélegzetelállító volt.En: As they reached one secluded spot, the view was breathtaking.Hu: A nap arany sugarai Budapest tetejére ragyogtak, és a város sziluettje tisztán kirajzolódott.En: The sun's golden rays shone over Budapest's rooftops, and the city's silhouette was clearly outlined.Hu: Bence gyorsan felkapta a gépét és kattintott.En: Bence quickly grabbed his camera and clicked.Hu: Réka csendben figyelte őt, miközben a jelen pillanat szépsége és a történelem találkozása szinte kézzel foghatóvá vált.En: Réka watched him silently, as the beauty of the present moment and the weight of history almost became tangible.Hu: Bence elégedetten nézte az elkészült fotót.En: Bence looked at the finished photo with satisfaction.Hu: "Ez az," suttogta.En: "This is it," he whispered.Hu: Réka mosolygott, érezve, hogy valami különlegeset teremtettek közösen.En: Réka smiled, sensing that something special had been created together.Hu: A bástya, a város és a múlt mind összefonódtak egy képen.En: The bastion, the city, and the past all intertwined in one image.Hu: Bence megtanulta, hogy a jó fotóhoz nemcsak egy megfelelő szög kell, de egy történet is, amely elkapja az idő lelkét.En: Bence learned that a good photo requires not only the right angle but also a story that captures the spirit of the time.Hu: És Réka által észrevette, hogy a személyes kapcsolatok is lehetnek olyan izgalmasak, mint a történelem.En: And through Réka, he realized that personal connections could be as exciting as history.Hu: Ahogy sétáltak vissza a főúthoz, Budapest hangjai és élete körbeölelte őket.En: As they walked back to the main road, the sounds and life of Budapest enveloped them.Hu: Egy új kezdet lehetősége csillant fel szemeikben, amely nemcsak a városé, hanem az övék is lehetett.En: The possibility of a new beginning sparkled in their eyes, one that could be not only the city's but theirs as well.Hu: Bence és Réka mosolyogva néztek egymásra, érezve, hogy ez még csak a kezdet.En: Bence and Réka looked at each other with smiles, feeling that this was just the beginning. Vocabulary Words:bastion: bástyasecret: titkosradiant: tündöklősunshine: napfényarchitectural: építészetmarvels: csodákconcealed: rejlettekmemories: emlékekquest: kutatásexcitement: izgatottságtraced: simítottagreeting: üdvözölnetime travel: időutazásenthusiastic: lelkestour guide: idegenvezetőcontagious: megfertőzteconfused: zavarosindicating: utalvacorners: zugoksecluded: eldugottbreathtaking: lélegzetelállítósilhouette: sziluetttangible: kézzel foghatósatisfaction: elégedettségintertwined: összefonódtakconnections: kapcsolatokpossibility: lehetőségsparkled: csillantbeginning: kezdetinhabitants: lakói
Brian came home from the Smoky Mountain Bigfoot Festival with something sitting on his chest, and this letter is what came out of it. It is an honest, sometimes uncomfortable piece of thinking about what is happening in the Sasquatch field right now, and where it could end up if we do not pay attention. The piece opens with the people. The young woman from Ohio who waited until the end of the day to tell him about something she heard on her grandparents' farm when she was thirteen. The man from southeastern Ohio with an audio file on his phone, hoping somebody would tell him it was real. The woman from eastern Kentucky with her folder of photographs and her arrangement of stones. The man who explained, with complete sincerity, that Sasquatch can open interdimensional portals.The woman who believes they live inside trees. The young man with the dogman map in his head. These are not strange people. They are kind, ordinary, often quite intelligent. And what they believe has been shaped, in ways most of them do not see, by an environment that rewards the spectacular and punishes the careful.From there, Brian works through why we believe what we believe. He talks about the pattern-recognition machinery in the human brain and what happens when you drop that machinery into a world of trail cameras and YouTube algorithms.He talks about the human need for meaning, and the quiet pull toward the more meaningful explanation when the simpler one is sitting right in front of us. He talks about the role of community, and what it costs a person to question a belief that has become part of how they belong. And he talks, plainly, about the money in this field, and the incentive structure that rewards extraordinary claims without rewarding extraordinary evidence.He looks at what happened to UFO research in the nineteen seventies as a warning. A real question, taken seriously by serious people, that collapsed under the weight of louder voices and wilder claims, and spent forty years on the margins before the door cracked open again. He does not want that to happen here. He does not think it has to.The letter gets sharp on two subjects. The first is the Missing four-one-one narrative, and what it means to imply, without evidence, that an unconfirmed creature is responsible for the disappearance of real people from real families. The second is the Patterson-Gimlin Film and the controversy that has erupted around it this past year.Brian holds his position. He has not seen the documentary. He will not render judgment until he has. But he has plenty to say about what the controversy itself has revealed about the community. Drawing on his sixteen years in law enforcement, Brian spends time on what witnesses are and what they are not, and why taking a witness seriously means doing more than just believing them. He is honest about how his own thinking has changed over nearly forty years in this field, including the things he used to believe and has since had to set down. And he lands, finally, on the choice every one of us makes every time we sit down with a piece of evidence or a story or a podcast. Are we going to reward extraordinary claims with extraordinary belief, or are we going to reward them with extraordinary scrutiny. This one is long, and it is personal, and it is going to make some people in the community uncomfortable.Brian's okay with that. He thinks the field is worth more than the place it is drifting toward, and he thinks the only way to get there is to start telling the truth about where we actually are.Email BrianGet Our FREE NewsletterGet Brian's Books Leave Us A VoicemailVisit Our WebsiteBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sasquatch-odyssey--4839697/support.Have you had a Bigfoot encounter, Sasquatch sighting, Dogman experience, or other cryptid or paranormal encounter? We'd love to hear your story. Email brian@paranormalworldproductions.com to be featured on a future episode of Sasquatch Odyssey.Sasquatch Odyssey is a leading Bigfoot and cryptid podcast exploring real encounters, field research, and scientific analysis of the Sasquatch phenomenon.Follow the show and turn on automatic downloads so you never miss an episode.
Every moment is a gift. Life is worth remembering. Thank you for listening to Encourage-Mint. If you've been refreshed, don't forget to subscribe, Leave a review on iTunes, and share a little Encourage-Mint with someone you love. Encourage-Mint is a podcast from Family Radio. These stories are just a taste of the stories you can hear every day. Listen at FamilyRadio.org or find more encouragement on the Family Radio app. Get daily Scripture and encouragement by following Family Radio on your favorite social media platforms:FacebookInstagram Twitter
Follow optYOUmize Podcast with Brett Ingram: LinkedIn | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Website Summary In this episode, Brett Ingram interviews Danielle Hutchinson, a ghostwriter and author coach, about the art of writing books, the impact of technology and AI, and tips for entrepreneurs to share their stories effectively. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to the Journey of Authorship 03:04 From Teaching to Freelancing: Danielle's Transition 05:51 The Digital Nomad Lifestyle: Traveling While Working 08:40 The Role of Ghostwriting in Authoring a Book 11:33 Capturing the Author's Voice: The Art of Ghostwriting 14:46 Common Mistakes in Writing: Jargon and Relatability 17:29 The Importance of Vulnerability in Storytelling 20:13 Crafting a Good Book: Frameworks and Personal Experiences 23:11 Publishing Options: Traditional vs. Self-Publishing 26:15 The Impact of AI on Writing and Publishing 29:08 Taking the First Step: Starting Your Writing Journey 31:49 Final Thoughts and Tips for Success #ghostwriting #bookwriting #authenticity #personaldevelopment #entrepreneurship #optyoumize #brettingram #entrepreneurpodcast #podmatch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Paris Chong Show welcomes renowned German photographer Olaf Heine, known for his rich portraits of artists, musicians, and athletes, to discuss his latest book focused on Hawaii. The book is being celebrated alongside his current exhibition running at Leica Gallery LA from Thursday through June 1st. Heine's new work features personalities like famous surfer Laird Hamilton and captures the island's unique spirit.Heine explains that his decades-long relationship with Hawaii began in the late '90s on a commission in Maui, where he instantly became "totally hooked". The discussion explores the core values of the Hawaiian people, particularly the Aloha Spirit, which is described not just as a greeting, but as a philosophy of unity, solidarity, and open-hearted living. They also address the environmental challenges facing the islands, including over-tourism, volcanic activity, and the devastating fires, underscoring the fragility of life so close to nature.Heine justifies his bold artistic decision to present the work in black and white, arguing it is a more "pure and reduced" approach that highlights the harsh, rugged, and volcanic origins of the islands, rather than focusing on the golden beaches and color. He views the ocean as the true "architect" that shapes both the land and the people—from fishermen and surfers to tourists. The photographer aimed to capture a subjective narrative that shows the extremes and different sides of Hawaii, connecting with a diverse group of native Hawaiians, activists, and celebrities to understand the mutual relationship between the environment and the people.*Trigger Warning* Talk about SA around min 34 and a photo exhibit from RwandaShow Notes:www.theparischongshow.com/episodes/olaf-heine-capturing-the-aloha-spirit-in-black-and-white-for-almost-30-yearsChapters:00:00 Intro00:22 Meet Olaf Heine01:38 How Hawaii Began02:41 Respecting Culture04:39 Aloha Spirit Values07:58 Nature and Extremes09:22 Making the Book11:07 Publishing with TeNeues11:55 Brazil vs Hawaii Home13:29 Hawaiian Food Ocean Life15:59 Why Black and White18:48 Locals and Portraits19:33 Earning Local Trust20:22 Island Taboos And Respect20:51 Subjective Hawaii Lens23:07 Why Leica Matters25:53 Chasing Giant Swells32:32 Fragile Nature34:45 Rwanda Project and Farewell
In this episode of Security Clearance Insecurity, host Lindy Kyzer sits down with Jacob Centeno, founder of Poor Bear Stories, to explore the power of storytelling within the national security community. From his personal journey as a Gold Star family member to building a mission-driven media company, Centeno shares how authenticity, vulnerability, and lived experience shape the stories he tells.The conversation dives into the unique connection between storytelling and service—how shared experiences can break down barriers, build trust, and reveal the human side of intelligence and special operations communities. Centeno also reflects on the evolving landscape of content creation, the tension between AI-generated media and handcrafted storytelling, and why depth and meaning still matter in a world flooded with content.Plus, the episode touches on the emotional impact of creative work, the importance of community at events like ClearanceJobs Connect, and how purpose-driven storytelling can extend the life and impact of mission-focused moments.Whether you're in national security, media, or simply passionate about meaningful storytelling, this episode offers insight into how stories connect us—and why they matter more than ever. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Understanding how government contracting market research really works is the edge that separates small businesses who win from those who wonder why they keep losing. In this episode, Eric Coffie sits down with a former Special Operations soldier who spent years inside the acquisition process, writing statements of work, managing COR responsibilities, and watching the biggest defense primes in the country run the playbook right in front of him. If you've ever submitted a bid and had no idea why you lost, this episode explains exactly what was happening behind the scenes. What you'll learn in this episode: How large defense contractors capture requirements before a solicitation ever goes public — and how small businesses can use the exact same strategy at their local DOD installation What "kitting" means and why you'll never beat the prime who invented the part number — understanding this one tactic will save you hours of wasted bidding on opportunities you can't win Why getting a quote is your first move in every government sale — and how showing up on-site positions you as the go-to vendor who gets called for everything How to work a military installation even while performing a contract — distributing capability statements, collecting emails, and building the relationships that turn into sole-source quotes Why ambiguous part numbers on SAM.gov are a signal, not an opportunity — learn to read what's already been captured so you stop chasing deals that were decided before they were posted EPISODE CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Welcome to the Federal Help Center podcast 0:28 - Guest background in special operations acquisitions 1:24 - How DOD requirements get generated on military installations 2:22 - What kitting is and how defense primes use it to control bids 3:43 - Capturing the requirement before the solicitation hits SAM.gov 4:40 - How small businesses can profit from kitted part numbers 5:38 - Reading ambiguous SAM.gov listings and knowing when to walk away 6:34 - How to become the go-to vendor on a DOD installation 7:30 - Using on-site contract performance to build your customer network 8:00 - The special operations VTC system example and building your own kit 8:53 - Community call to action and episode close Market Intelligence gives you the federal opportunities, agency signals, recompete intel, and pursuit briefs that tell you not just what contracts exist, but which ones to chase and how to win them. Sign up for free Daily Alerts and get opportunities delivered to your inbox before the day starts.
Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS Watch Full Video Episode Dan Vance, CEO of Shop Dog Marketing, challenges how auto repair shops think about marketing in today's AI-driven world. The conversation goes beyond websites and SEO, exploring how real marketing lives in every customer interaction and how tools like ChatGPT and Google AI Overview can become powerful strategic partners. What You'll Learn Marketing Is Bigger Than Digital Tactics: Most shops mistake marketing for SEO, ads, or websites. Dan reframes marketing as theentire customer experience,from the way a repair is explained to how a customer feels in your waiting room. The shops that win combine smart digital strategy with authentic human connection.Why “Precious Moments” Builds Powerful Brands: Small, meaningful experiences, like a child choosing a toy or a team member giving back to the community, create emotional anchors. Capturing and sharing these moments builds trust and a brand that customers remember and talk about.How E-E-A-T Drives Visibility and Growth: Search engines prioritize Experience, Expertise, Authority, and Trust. Shops that intentionally showcase these qualities can outperform larger competitors. Long-term credibility matters more than short-term ad spend.Using AI as Your Strategic Thinking Partner: AI isn't just a tool; it's a collaborator. Dan shares practical ways shops can use it: Identify dealership weaknesses through review analysis and position your shop as the better alternative. Understand your shop's real online reputation, both strengths and blind spots. Improve hiring by comparing candidates to your top performers and analyzing interview traits. Stop thinking of marketing as something you do and start seeing it as something you are. When you combine authentic customer experiences with the strategic power of AI, you don't just compete, you create momentum that builds trust, visibility, and long-term growth. When Customers Ask AI First: What Shop Owners Need to Know [RR 1071]: https://remarkableresults.biz/remarkable-results-radio-podcast/e1071/ Dan Vance, Shop Dog Marketing.com Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS Learn more about NAPA Auto Care and the benefits of being part of the NAPA family by visiting https://www.napaonline.com/en/auto-care NAPA TRACS will move your shop into the SMS fast lane with onsite training and six days a week of support and local representation. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at http://napatracs.com/ Connect with the Podcast: Visit the Website:https://remarkableresults.biz/Subscribe on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/carmcapriottoFollow on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/RemarkableResultsRadioPodcast/Follow on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmcapriotto/Follow on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/remarkableresultsradiopodcast/Join Our Virtual Toastmasters Club:https://remarkableresults.biz/toastmastersJoin Our Private Facebook Community:https://www.facebook.com/groups/1734687266778976Join our Insider List:https://remarkableresults.biz/insiderAll books mentioned on our podcasts:https://remarkableresults.biz/booksOur Classroom page for personal or team learning:https://remarkableresults.biz/classroomBuy Me a Coffee:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/carmSpecial episode collections:https://remarkableresults.biz/collections The Automotive Repair Podcast Network: https://automotiverepairpodcastnetwork.com/ Remarkable Results Radio Podcastwith Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion.https://remarkableresults.biz/Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Zwith Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life.https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/Business by the Numberswith Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest.https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/The Auto Repair Marketing Podcastwith Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level.https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/The Weekly Blitzwith Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching.https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/Speak Up! Effective Communicationwith Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size.https://craigoneill.captivate.fm
Last time we spoke about the battle of West Suiyuan. The Ma Clique, Muslim warlords controlling Northwest China, led by Ma Hongkui and Ma Hongbin, rebuffed Japanese overtures to ally, citing historical grievances like the 1900 invasion. Driven by patriotism, they aligned with the Nationalists, reorganizing forces into the 17th Army Group. In 1938, Ma Hongbin commanded West Suiyuan defenses, building fortifications in harsh desert and mountain terrain, blending cavalry tactics with modern training despite equipment shortages. In January 1940, Japanese and puppet troops advanced from Baotou, occupying Wuyuan and Linhe. Chinese forces, including Fu Zuoyi's 35th Army and Ma's 81st Army, employed guerrilla and mobile warfare. A major counterattack in March recaptured Wuyuan, killing Lt. Gen. Mizukawa and thousands, forcing Japanese retreat. Through ambushes and night raids, the Chinese recovered territories, securing Soviet aid routes and the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia region. Over 2,000 Ningxia soldiers perished, their sacrifices underscoring peripheral fronts' role in national resistance. #200 The battle of Yaoyi Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. After capturing Wuhan, the Japanese army had already stretched itself dangerously thin. Most regular and Class A reserve divisions were committed to the front, yet they failed to annihilate the main Chinese force. Despite losing its core industrial and resource regions, the Nationalist government in Chongqing refused Japan's peace terms. Japan now found itself trapped in the very protracted war it had desperately sought to avoid. The logical Japanese response was to halt major advances, consolidate control over occupied areas, and conduct limited offensives to pressure Chiang Kai-shek into negotiations—essentially repeating the post-Nanjing strategy of late 1937. But the situation had deteriorated sharply: occupied territory had at least doubled, Japanese garrisons were inadequate, and strategic reserves were nearly exhausted. What might have been prudent a year earlier had become plainly unwise by late 1938. To stabilize the front, Japan reorganized its China Expeditionary Army at the end of 1938. Large numbers of newly raised independent mixed brigades and lower-quality Class B reserve divisions were sent to relieve veteran regular and Class A divisions. The relieved units were either demobilized back to Japan or shifted north to reinforce the Kwantung Army against the Soviet threat. By early 1940 Japan maintained roughly 24 divisions, 21 independent mixed brigades, and 2 cavalry brigades in China proper (excluding Manchuria), totaling nearly 800,000 ground troops. The enormous scale and expense strained the home economy severely. Even so, the vast occupied zones could not be effectively controlled: divisions often held only a single mobile battalion while dispersing the rest into scattered platoon- and squad-sized outposts. Guerrilla activity by both Nationalist and Communist forces not only persisted but intensified, occasionally clashing with each other in "friction" incidents. Beyond mere occupation, Japan sought to wear down Chinese strength. With most elite Central Army units held in reserve in the southwest or around Wuhan, Japanese local offensives targeted the Fifth and Ninth War Zones, aiming to methodically destroy Chiang's best troops. Thus, while other Japanese armies focused on garrison relief and brigade substitution, the 11th Army—still holding Wuhan with seven divisions and three brigades—remained the main offensive instrument. In 1939 it captured Nanchang, then mounted major operations against the Fifth War Zone (Suizao Campaign) and Ninth War Zone (First Battle of Changsha). Except for the seizure of Nanchang, however, these offensives inflicted only limited and temporary damage on Chinese forces. Japan's domestic economy was in even worse shape. In early 1937, it had approved a massive 2.4 billion yen naval and army rebuilding program aimed at countering the United States and Russia, but implementation had barely started when the Sino-Japanese War erupted. The conflict generated enormous war costs while military expansion continued unabated, rapidly draining the Bank of Japan's gold reserves. By the end of 1938, those reserves (valued at just 1.35 billion yen) had shrunk by more than two-thirds. To fund the Battle of Wuhan that year, Japan postponed key elements of the rebuilding plan. After Wuhan fell, the Army revised its wartime reorganization: the original target of forty divisions grew to fifty-five by early 1938, then to sixty-five divisions plus 164 Army Air Force squadrons by 1942. The funding required to equip and stockpile for this expansion escalated steadily; the 1939 expansion budget alone demanded 1.8 billion yen, pushing Japanese finances to the breaking point. Japan repeatedly sought a way out of China, but its peace terms remained far beyond what Chongqing would accept, leaving negotiations stalled. Efforts to install puppet regimes in North and Central China—culminating in the Wang Jingwei government in 1940—aimed to "use Chinese to control Chinese" and undermine Nationalist influence, yet produced disappointing results. The 11th Army's 1939 campaigns yielded only mediocre outcomes, hampered by chronic troop shortages. Even its divisions were tied down in occupation duties; mounting a serious offensive required pulling garrison forces, leaving no reserves to hold the line unless new units arrived. Sustained large-scale operations to seriously weaken Chinese strength demanded a major troop increase—otherwise, Japan was limited to shallow, localized attacks. Lt. Gen. Yasuji Okamura, commanding the 11th Army, recognized this clearly. In a December 1939 report, he argued that diplomacy and small offensives were futile and urged a large-scale operation backed by substantial reinforcements. His superiors, however, were preoccupied with funding the broader military buildup and could offer no extra men. The post-Wuhan "defensiveization" of operations was largely a cost-saving measure to support that expansion. Japanese ground strength in China, which peaked near 850,000 after Wuhan, had already dropped by about 50,000. Full-strength regular or Class A divisions numbered roughly 22,000 men (four regiments), while newer garrison divisions had only about 15,000 (three regiments), and independent mixed brigades just 6,000. Okamura's proposal was sensible but politically impossible; high command was even contemplating slashing China troop levels to 400,000. The Chinese Winter Offensive of December 1939, together with counterattacks at Nanning and Kunlun Pass, inflicted serious losses and exposed the limited damage done to Chinese forces in 1939 operations. The recapture of Wuyuan in March 1940 signaled the start of a new phase. Shortly afterward, intensified Chinese guerrilla raids deep into Japanese rear areas prompted large Japanese "mop-up" operations in southern Shanxi, central Hubei, southern Jiangxi, and northern Hunan. In the Wuhan sector, repeated blows from the Winter Offensive heightened fears of Chinese forces in the Dahong and Tongbai Mountains, which threatened control over the vital Jianghan Plains rice-producing region. In mid-April 1940, the Japanese abandoned outposts at Macheng (eastern Hubei), Fengxin, and Jing'an (northern Jiangxi), withdrew elements of the 6th Division (northern Hunan), 40th Division (northern Jiangxi), and the 3rd, 13th, and 39th Divisions (Hubei), and concentrated them around Zhongxiang, Suixian, and Xinyang for a maximum-effort push. These setbacks finally forced Tokyo to abandon deep troop reductions in China and approve reinforcements of two regular divisions for a major 1940 offensive. The revised end-1940 target became 740,000 troops in China. In spring 1940, the 11th Army—backed fully by Imperial General Headquarters and the China Expeditionary Army—began detailed preparations for a large-scale assault on China's Fifth War Zone. On February 25, 1940, the 11th Army issued its "Guiding Strategy for the Campaign." The operational goal was to defeat the main force of China's Fifth War Zone along both banks of the Han River before the rainy season, inflict further heavy losses on Chiang Kai-shek's army through decisive victory, and thereby advance Japan's overall political and strategic position vis-à-vis China. The guiding principle called for the quickest possible preparations, with the offensive to begin around early May: first destroy Chinese forces on the left (east) bank south of the Baihe River, then completely annihilate the core units on the right (west) bank near Yichang. On April 7, under the new commander Lt. Gen. Sonobe Kazuo (who replaced Okamura Yasuji), the 11th Army produced a more detailed plan. On April 10, Imperial General Headquarters Order No. 426 ("Continental Order") authorized the China Expeditionary Army to conduct operations in central and southern China during May–June, even beyond established boundaries, to fulfill current objectives. Japanese planners viewed the Fifth War Zone—roughly 50 divisions encircling Wuhan—with its main strength concentrated along the Han (Xiang) River in northwestern Hubei. Striking Yichang would deliver a severe blow to the zone. As the gateway to Sichuan, only 480 km from Chongqing, Yichang held immense strategic value: an inland port, Three Gorges logistics hub, and key base for air raids on Chongqing. Capturing it would directly threaten the Nationalist wartime capital and southwestern rear, advancing political leverage. Still, long-term occupation was not pre-decided; initial plans stressed inflicting maximum damage followed by withdrawal, in line with the post-Wuhan policy of avoiding permanent overextension. China, aware that holding the Jianghan Plain's rice-producing areas enabled sustained attrition against Japan, deployed guerrilla units to harass Japanese rear areas (increasing occupier losses) while tasking the River Defense Force to hold key front-line points: Jingmen, Shashi, and Yichang. To achieve these aims, the 11th Army committed as much as possible of its seven divisions and four brigades (88 battalions total). Core units included the 3rd Division (Maj. Gen. Yamakoshi Masataka; regiments 6, 18, 34, 68), 13th Division (Maj. Gen. Tanaka Shioichi; 58, 65, 104, 116), 39th Division (Maj. Gen. Murakami Keisaku; 231–233), elements of the 40th Division, detachments from the 33rd and 34th Divisions, and others. Reinforcements comprised the Ikeda Detachment (three battalions from 6th Division), Ishimoto Detachment (four–five from 40th), Ogawa Detachment (two from 34th), and Provisional Mixed Brigade 101. Supporting assets included the 6th Field Heavy Artillery Regiment, 7th and 13th Tank Regiments, 3rd Air Group, Navy 1st China Dispatch Fleet, and 2nd Combined Air Team. The China Expeditionary Army transferred seven battalions from the 15th and 22nd Divisions (13th Army, lower Yangtze). The main effort north of the river involved roughly 48–54 battalions, or 80,000–110,000 men, making the Zaoyi (Zaoyang–Yichang) Campaign the largest Japanese operation on the central front since Wuhan. Sonobe's staff structured the offensive in two phases. Phase One targeted the Fifth War Zone's main force around Zaoyang (east of the Han River) through converging pincer movements: right flank from Xinyang (reinforced 3rd Division), left flank from Zhongxiang (reinforced 13th Division), and central thrust by the reinforced 39th Division from Suixian. The plan exploited terrain—Dahong and Tongbai Mountains—for encirclement. After seizing Minggang (right flank) and advancing from Zhongxiang (left), the pincers would close on Zaoyang, with the center (along the Xianghua Highway from Suixian) drawing Chinese forces into the trap for envelopment. Diversionary attacks south of the Yangtze, propaganda hinting at limited scope, and planted false orders helped mask intentions. Japanese radio intelligence—intercepts and direction-finding of Chinese headquarters signals—provided critical advantages, especially in later stages. By March 1940, Chinese intelligence had already detected the 11th Army's intent to mount a major offensive from Xinyang and Wuhan into northwestern Hubei. On April 10, Chiang Kai-shek telegraphed Li Zongren and other Fifth War Zone commanders, urging immediate preparations for a preemptive strike against any push toward Shapingba and Yichang. He emphasized proactive flanking attacks on Japanese rear areas via Wusheng Pass and threats to the Pinghan Railway, while keeping main forces east of the Han River for decisive engagement once the enemy committed. Following Military Commission directives, the Fifth War Zone devised a plan that used part of its strength for forward advances and deep raids into Japanese rear areas to harass and divert. The bulk of forces would hold the rear, seizing chances for preemptive strikes and a decisive battle east of Zaoyang or south of Jingmen–Dangyang. Deployments included: the 33rd Army Group garrisoning the Xiang River; in the center, the 45th Corps (22nd Army Group) west of Luoyangdian–Suixian and the 84th Corps (11th Army Group) north of Suixian–south of Gaocheng; in southern Henan, the 30th Corps east of Tongbai and the 68th Corps north of Pingchangguan–Minggang; the 41st Corps in reserve near Xiangyang; the 29th Army Group (with part garrisoning north of Tongqiao Zhen–Sanyangtien) concentrated in the Dahong Mountains; and the 31st Army Group positioned between Queshan and Ye Hsien as the mobile force to strike invaders. River Defense Army commander Guo Chan controlled the 26th, 75th, and 94th Armies, the 128th Division, and the 6th and 7th Guerrilla Columns. Total Chinese strength approximated 350,000–380,000 men across roughly 50–54 divisions. To mask preparations and mislead, the Japanese conducted a late-April "mop-up" near Jiujiang, staged naval feints on Poyang and Dongting Lakes, and bombed key points in Hunan and Jiangxi, simulating an imminent Ninth War Zone operation. With forces assembled, the Japanese offensive began May 1, 1940, from Xinyang, Suixian, and Zhongxiang. The advance split into five routes: (1) Changtaiguan–Minggang–Biyang–Tanghe; (2) Xinyang–Tongbai; (3) Suixian–Zaoyang; (4) Suixian–Wujiadien; (5) Zhongxiang–Shuangkou. Employing flanking with central breakthrough, the reinforced 3rd Division (right flank, including Ishimoto Detachment from 40th Division with tanks and engineers) spearheaded from Xinyang toward Biyang, breaching the Chinese Second Army front on day one. By May 1, elements of the 3rd and 40th Divisions captured Minggang, Lion's Bridge, and Xiaolintien; on May 5 they took Biyang and Tongbai. The Chinese 31st Army Group (northeast of Biyang) linked with the 68th and 92nd Corps to hit Japanese flanks and rear. Leaving some forces west of Tongbai to press the enemy, the main 30th Corps struck Japanese flanks. After seizing Tanghe on May 7, the Japanese pushed south toward Zaoyang. On May 8–9, the 31st Army Group retook Tanghe and Xinye, pursuing vigorously. On May 8, the Japanese left flank (13th Division) attacked from Zhongxiang, breaking through the 33rd Army front the same day. On May 3, the Japanese 13th Division—supported by over 20 tanks, 40 aircraft, artillery, and cavalry—advanced north from Zhongxiang, capturing Changshoudian and Tianjiachi. It seized Fengyao and Changjiachi by May 6. Chinese 33rd Army Group forces used favorable terrain to intercept, while the 29th Army Group struck Japanese flanks and rear at Changjiachi and Wangjiadian, and the 41st Corps fought tenaciously to halt the advance. By May 7, Japanese spearheads reached Changjiachi on the Zaoyang–Xiangyang Highway, with elements entering Shuangkou; their rear cavalry took Xinye on May 8. Fifth War Zone commander Zhang Zizhong personally led attacks along Tianjiachi–Huanglongtang, supported by fierce 29th Army Group assaults on Japanese rear. The Japanese 39th Division and a 6th Division brigade delayed their assault on the Chinese 11th Army Group until May 4 from Suixian. After overrunning Gaocheng and Anchu on May 5, Chinese forces withdrew to Huantan–Tang Hsien–north of Gaocheng. As the 33rd Army Group faltered, part of the 11th Army Group reinforced it; the 175th Division held at Tang Hsien while the main body fell back toward Zaoyang. During the maneuver, Japanese tanks enveloped at Tang Hsien, cutting the Zaoyang–Xiangyang Highway and forcing bitter fighting by the 174th Division. To break out, Chinese abandoned Zaoyang, using the 173rd Division for rearguard resistance while the bulk shifted west of the Tang and Bai Rivers. Japanese captured Suiyangdian and Wujiadien on May 7, Zaoyang on May 8; the 173rd Division suffered heavy losses, including the death of its commander, Gen. Zhong Yi. On May 10, Japanese completed an encirclement east of Xiangdong along the Tang and Bai Rivers—but it collapsed as Chinese exterior forces outflanked both Japanese wings and compressed the center, trapping much of the Japanese in the Xiangdong Plains. The Chinese 2nd and 31st Army Groups plus 92nd Corps pressed south, 39th and 75th Corps east, and 33rd and 29th Army Groups north against the pocket. The 94th Corps advanced along the Han–Yichang Highway deep into Jingshan, Zaoshi, Yingcheng, and Yunmeng to sever Japanese rear communications. Meanwhile, the 7th Corps and eastern Hubei guerrillas seized Jigong Shan, Lijiachai, and Liulin station on the Beijing–Hankou Railway. The 92nd and 68th Corps retook Zaoyang, Tongbai, and Minggang, encircling four Japanese divisions in the Xiangdong Plains. By May 11, battered Japanese retreated eastward under pursuit, Chinese flanking and rear attacks leaving many dead on the field. The 31st Army Group recovered Zaoyang on May 16. Chinese reports claimed 45,000 Japanese casualties, plus capture of over 60 guns, 2,000+ horses, 70+ tanks, and 400+ trucks. The 33rd Army Group fought fiercely to intercept retreating columns, driving large Japanese remnants toward Nanguadian. Tragically, on May 16 noon, Gen. Zhang Zizhong—personally commanding his Guard Battalion and main 74th Division—was killed in action. With pressure eased on the Japanese left, they counterattacked and retook Zaoyang on May 17. Chinese forces withdrew to Xinye on the Tangbai River's west bank and north of the Tang River, regrouping for a renewed counteroffensive. The Military Commission anticipated a Japanese withdrawal to original lines, likely along the rain-impassable Xianghua Road. Exploiting the enemy's supply shortages, exhaustion, and retreat difficulties, it ordered Fifth War Zone units to encircle and annihilate Japanese forces near the battlefield, then pursue toward Yingcheng–Huayuan. The zone promptly launched a counteroffensive. By nightfall on May 8, Japanese pincers neared junction, having inflicted serious damage on the Chinese 84th Army but achieved little else. Nonetheless, the 11th Army ordered frontline divisions to withdraw to the Tanghe–Baihe line after reaching it, preparatory to encircling Chinese forces west of the Han River. Chongqing issued general offensive orders at 8 PM and 11 PM that night. By then, six divisions of the 31st Army Group advanced south from Nanyang in the north, five from the 33rd Army Group pressed from the south, and five from the 45th and 94th Armies pursued in the southeast—nearly completing the Japanese encirclement. Intense combat erupted. On May 10, retreating Japanese first clashed with the advancing 33rd Army Group from the south. Seizing the moment, they ordered the 13th and 39th Divisions plus Ikeda Detachment south to smash it, with the 3rd Division covering the northern flank. Full-scale battle broke out on May 12: two Japanese divisions assaulted five Chinese divisions of the 33rd Army Group, plunging them into desperate fighting. Japanese radio intercepts—including telegrams between the Military Commission and Fifth War Zone, plus Zhang Zizhong's report to Chiang on his five divisions' movements—revealed exact positions and plans. Sonobe Kazuo concentrated the 13th and 39th Divisions to strike south along the Han's east bank against Zhang's army group, while ordering the 3rd Division (south of Xinye) back to Zaoyang to guard the rear. Direction-finding had long pinpointed the 33rd Army Group headquarters radio (call signs and bearings) about 10 km northeast of Yicheng. With air support, the Japanese encircled it. On the night of May 15, the 39th Division advanced from Fangjiaji and Nanying toward Nanguadian, completing tactical encirclement by dawn on May 16. Artillery-supported four-sided assaults followed. The defending 74th Division resisted fiercely with repeated counterattacks. Fighting raged into the afternoon, with the Special Service Battalion joining. Japanese attackers swelled to over 5,000, backed by concentrated artillery and 20+ aircraft for a final push. Zhang Zizhong, wounded multiple times, continued commanding calmly until a severe chest wound killed him heroically. The exhausted, isolated 74th Division and battalion suffered devastating losses. That day, the 13th Division also routed the main 33rd Army Group force, breaking the southern encirclement. Japanese then redeployed, concentrating around Zaoyang. In the north, 17 divisions (including six from the 31st Army Group) attacked the isolated Japanese 3rd Division from east, south, and north, severing its supply lines. With limited ammunition and no resupply, the division faced crisis; its 29th Brigade telegram pleaded: "Enemy fighting spirit extremely high... safe return very difficult; request battalion reinforcements." Yet southern Chinese forces remained undestroyed amid chaos. Japanese choices narrowed to independent 3rd Division retreat or holding for relief. They opted to lure pursuers: ordering the division southeast toward Zaoyang to draw Chinese into pursuit. From May 16–18, the 3rd Division fought a delaying retreat; relentless Chinese pursuit inflicted limited damage due to insufficient firepower, allowing escape. By evening May 18, it reached northeast of Zaoyang and prepared offensives. The 13th and 39th Divisions, after defeating the 33rd Army Group, also advanced north to the Zaoyang line. The 3rd Division's retreat shortened Japanese lines and hastened convergence. Unsuspecting Chinese pursued to Zaoyang. After a successful counterattack northeast of Yicheng, the 13th and 39th Divisions rejoined the 3rd Division there. On May 19 morning, three Japanese divisions attacked abreast, forcing decisive battle along the Tang River. Chinese divisions collapsed within hours; the 75th Army took heavy losses, others significant casualties. Fifth War Zone ordered hasty retreat. Japanese pursued vigorously. By May 21, the 3rd Division reached Dengxian, 13th east of Laohekou, 39th Fancheng. Early that day, the 39th Division—crossing the Baihe—met fierce west-bank fire, losing Regiment Commander Kanzaki Tetsujiro and over 300 men. That evening, the 11th Army halted pursuit, ending east-bank (Xiang River) fighting. The 20+ day operation east of the Han inflicted heavy Japanese losses, far exceeding the planned duration, leaving troops exhausted. After halting, units withdrew to Zaoyang vicinity for rest and reorganization rather than immediate return to base positions. Commanders debated proceeding to Yichang west of the Han: abandoning the plan would signal Phase One failure, eroding authority and imperial trust. Most argued troop fatigue and casualties should not deter continuation. Over 1,000 tons of supplies rushed forward via six motor companies. Following east-bank termination, Japanese consolidated for the next phase targeting Yichang. Reinforcements arrived: the 4th Division from Manchuria and 18th Independent Brigade from Wuning. The 4th Division assumed Shayang–Zhongxiang positions east of the Xiang River. The Japanese bombarded the west bank of the Han River for ninety minutes before forcing a crossing at Wangji north of Yicheng. That midnight, the 3rd Division also crossed southeast of Xiangyang. Both met little resistance and completed crossings before dawn. The 11th Army left the 40th Division at Dahongshan for rear-area mopping-up and assigned the Xiaochuan and Cangqiao Detachments to guard mobile supply depots. On May 31 night, the 3rd and 39th Divisions crossed the Xiang River at Yicheng and Oujiamiao. After seizing Xiangyang on June 1 night, the main force split into columns crossing westward. By June 3, Japanese captured Nanzhang and Yicheng. The Chinese 41st Corps fiercely counterattacked, retaking part of Xiangyang while its main body battled around Nanzhang; the 77th Corps also struck hard. On June 4, Chinese recovered Nanzhang, forcing Japanese retreat southward. Meanwhile, the 13th Division and elements of the 6th Division forced a crossing on the Han–Yichang Highway near Jiukou and Shayang to link with southern columns for a joint push. The Chinese River Defense Force shifted its main strength to key positions, using terrain to block southward advances. The 2nd and 31st Army Groups pursued south separately. Chinese abandoned Shayang on June 5; Japanese took Jingmen, Shilipu, and Shihujiao on June 6. The 77th Corps and river defense units resisted stubbornly from Jingmen to Jiangling. After retaking Yicheng, the 2nd Army Group continued pursuit. Japanese concentrated around Jingmen–Shilipu as Jiangling fell. On June 9 morning, Japanese launched joint air-ground assaults from Dongshi to Dangyang and Yuanan. By afternoon, penetrating the Chinese right flank forced a night withdrawal to Gulaobei–Shuanlianshi–Dangyang along the Zu River to Yuanan. June 10 saw Japanese capture Gulaobei and Dangyang, pushing Chinese to Yichang outskirts. After days of heavy fighting and prohibitive losses, Chinese abandoned Yichang on their own initiative. The 2nd and 31st Army Groups then reached Dangyang north of Jingmen. On June 16, they mounted a general offensive. By June 17, Chinese briefly retook Yichang; the 2nd Army Group linked with the 77th Corps against Dangyang, while the 31st Army Group severed Dangyang–Jingmen communications and assaulted Jingmen violently. South of the Yangtze, the 5th and 32nd Divisions crossed to hit Shayang and Shilipu. By June 18, Japanese main force held stubbornly from Dangyang to the Xiang River with superior equipment. Chinese, fighting on exterior lines, formed an encirclement from Jiangling–Yichang–Dangyang–Zhongxiang–Suixian–north of Xinyang while maintaining surveillance. Thus, the Zaoyi (Zaoyang–Yichang) Campaign ended. No prior decision existed on holding Yichang long-term. Per post-Wuhan Imperial General Headquarters policy, even extended operations aimed only to inflict severe blows and erode Chinese resistance, not expand occupation. On capture day, the 11th Army declared objectives achieved, ordering reorganization, destruction of Yichang military facilities, and dumping irremovable captured supplies into the Yangtze preparatory to withdrawal. At 10 PM June 15, formal orders withdrew to the Han's east bank: 3rd and 39th Divisions first to Dangyang–Jingmen to cover, then the 13th Division. The 13th began retreating from Yichang at midnight June 16, reaching Tumenya (10 km east) by 7 AM June 17. Chinese counterattacked along the route; the 18th Army pursued and retook Yichang morning of June 17. Japanese held Yichang only four days. Intense debate erupted between frontline commanders and Imperial General Headquarters over retaining Yichang. With Nazi Germany's Western Europe offensive underway—Paris fell June 12, the day Yichang was taken—global upheaval intensified Japanese urgency to resolve China swiftly and free resources for wider competition. Many in high command and China Expeditionary Army argued long-term occupation would threaten Chongqing more directly, aid political maneuvers, and hasten settlement, offering immense strategic value. This swayed the Emperor, who inquired at the June 15 Imperial Conference about securing it. Backed by imperial support, high command ordered temporary retention (one month) on June 16. By transmission through Expeditionary Army and 11th Army channels, the rearguard 13th Division had withdrawn 52 km. With 3rd Division cooperation, it reversed, broke Chinese resistance, and retook Yichang afternoon June 17. On July 1, to offset expanded 11th Army responsibilities, General Headquarters transferred the 4th Division from Kwantung Army (Jiamusi, Heilongjiang) to 11th Army control. July 13 orders confirmed long-term Yichang retention, redefining Wuhan-region operations to Anqing–Xinyang–Yichang–Yueyang–Nanchang. The 11th Army assigned: 13th Division to Yichang, 4th Division to Anlu, 18th Independent Mixed Brigade east/west of Dangyang; remaining units returned to original defenses. Post-recapture, Chinese continued counterattacks on Yichang and rear lines until ordered to halt: "To adapt to international changes, preserve National Army combat strength, and facilitate reorganization, Fifth War Zone cease attacks on Yichang immediately." A stalemate followed along lines encircling Yichang, Dangyang, Jiangling, Jingmen, Zhongxiang, Suixian, and Xinyang. To shield Chongqing and Sichuan, Nationalists re-established the Sixth War Zone (briefly created post-First Changsha, abolished April 1940), appointing Chen Cheng commander-in-chief with 33rd and 29th Army Groups, River Defense Army, and 18th Army covering western Hubei, western Hunan, eastern Sichuan. The Zaoyi campaign thus concluded. Japanese combat power again proved markedly superior. Official Japanese records (11th Army/China Expeditionary Army) reported 2,700 killed, ~7,800 wounded (total ~10,500; some phases ~1,403 killed/4,639 wounded). Chinese admitted heavy losses: 36,983 killed, 50,509 wounded, 23,000 missing (total >110,000 in some accounts). Wartime Nationalist claims inflated Japanese casualties to 45,000 killed/wounded with major captures (60+ guns, 70+ tanks, 400+ trucks), likely propagandistic; Japanese sources show far lower equipment losses. With 56 battalions deployed, Japanese suffered 12–15% combat casualties; Chinese (54 divisions, ~380,000 men) incurred 25–30% or higher—underscoring firepower/equipment disparity. Japan achieved tactical success by securing Yichang long-term (as a Chongqing bombing base) but failed to annihilate the main Chinese force or compel peace. Chinese resistance thwarted full encirclement and imposed attrition, albeit at crippling cost to the Fifth War Zone—severely weakened and never fully recovering until war's end. Japanese aims were realized to a significant, though not decisive, degree. The Fifth War Zone's operational plan was fundamentally sound. Chinese intelligence detected Japanese intentions early, accurately predicted the attack axis, and deployed accordingly. The plan included preemptive strikes at Wusheng Pass and the Guangshui section of the Pinghan Railway to harass Japanese rear areas, threaten Wuhan, gather reconnaissance, and disrupt enemy preparations. Though well conceived, these actions never materialized. In the first phase (Xiangdong operations), Chinese forces resisted while shifting the main body to outer lines, securing mobile flanking positions. This frustrated Japanese encirclement efforts in the Xiangdong Plains. Exploiting the enemy's retreat, China launched a timely counteroffensive that encircled the Japanese 3rd Division. Despite breakout support from over 100 aircraft and 200 tanks, the poorly equipped Chinese inflicted heavy casualties during the three-day siege, blunting the division's momentum. On the southern front, the 33rd Army Group's intercepting deployment was appropriate, but insufficient strength and compromised communications allowed the Japanese 13th and 39th Divisions to counterattack decisively, inflicting major losses and claiming the heroic death of Commander-in-Chief Zhang Zizhong—whose steadfast patriotism remains a lasting source of national pride. Overall, Chinese assessments and deployments in Phase One were largely correct. The battlefield showed China retained initiative and was not wholly dominated by Japanese plans. The core issue was overestimation of Chinese combat power amid severe shortages of heavy weapons. At least three corps suffered heavy attrition, yet Japanese captured only twenty-three mountain/field guns. Relying on manpower for brute force left Chinese units critically undergunned, enabling repeated encirclement attempts but preventing decisive destruction or severe damage to encircled enemies like the 3rd Division. Phase Two, by contrast, was entirely passive. The initial Japanese Han River crossings were largely feints, yet the west bank received scant attention in overall planning—leaving Yichang virtually undefended as main forces deployed east of the river. Post-Phase One, Japan reinforced the 11th Army with three infantry battalions and one mountain artillery battalion from the 13th Army (lower Yangtze), plus six motor transport companies rushing massive supplies forward. Chinese intelligence missed these moves, remaining complacent in expectation of Japanese withdrawal eastward. After regrouping, Japan abruptly pivoted west with rapid advances. The Military Commission and Fifth War Zone, caught unprepared, made frantic, chaotic adjustments that failed to mount effective defense. The loss of strategically vital Yichang was inevitable, complicating the resistance both militarily and psychologically. This stemmed directly from command misjudgment of Japanese strategic and operational aims. Had plans anticipated a westward thrust and retained strong reserves—or detected the 10-day regrouping window to readjust deployments—China could have retained greater initiative, inflicted more damage, and reduced its own losses. 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. Japan's 11th Army launched an offensive in Hubei to encircle Chinese forces in the Fifth War Zone and seize Yichang for bombing Chongqing. Chinese troops countered effectively, encircling Japanese divisions and inflicting heavy losses, though General Zhang Zizhong was killed in action. After intense fighting east of the Han River, Japanese crossed west, captured Yichang, briefly withdrew, then retook and held it long-term.
Live from the Chase Center in San Francisco, Peter gathers four leading venture investors to discuss the shifting landscape of private markets. This special episode features Salil Deshpande (Uncorrelated Ventures), Amit Patel (Owl Ventures), Vignesh Ravikumar (Sierra Ventures), and Corey Goodman, PhD (venBio Partners).The episode covers why gross margins have become the most critical metric for AI model companies and how the rise of secondary markets is challenging the traditional ten-year fund structure. They explore the new "efficiency benchmarks" for startups, where founders are expected to reach milestones faster with significantly less capital and headcount.We also dig into the reality of AI in biotech, the "Nvidia problem" regarding value capture, and why massive fund sizes often lead to a regression to the mean. Plus, the guests share the data points they wish they had, from true product retention to the complex inner workings of human biology.Subscribe to Carta's weekly Data Minute newsletter: https://carta.com/subscribe/data-newsletter-sign-up/Explore interactive startup and VC data, with Carta's Data Desk: https://carta.com/data-desk/Chapters:00:30 – Salil Deshpande: AI gross margins and value creation01:29 – Why the rate of AI improvement is still increasing02:02 – Secondary markets and the end of the 10+2 model03:28 – How massive fund sizes impact price discipline04:40 – Amit A. Patel: The shift in efficiency benchmarks06:17 – Personalized learning and AI's impact on education08:00 – Justifying longer exit timelines with larger outcomes09:47 – Matching capital deployment to fund strategy11:42 – Vignesh Ravikumar: Building in the hyperscale era13:00 – Capturing value outside of the model layer13:41 – Fund size as a driver of conviction and ownership14:50 – The unknown data on AI product retention15:13 – Corey Goodman, PhD: Turning science into medicine16:11 – Why AI is overhyped in the world of biology17:50 – Why the 10-year model still works for biotech19:27 – Why mega funds regress to the mean in life sciencesThis presentation contains general information only and eShares, Inc. dba Carta, Inc. (“Carta”) is not, by means of this publication, rendering accounting, business, financial, investment, legal, tax, or other professional advice or services, and is for informational purposes only. This presentation is not a substitute for such professional advice or services nor should it be used as a basis for any decision or action that may affect your business or interests. © 2026 eShares, Inc., dba Carta, Inc. All rights reserved.
A widening gap between retiring experts, manual craftsmanship, and limited process visibility is making it increasingly difficult for manufacturers to maintain consistency, prevent errors early, and onboard new operators effectively. In this episode, Sebastian Dykas, Director of Manufacturing, Engineering, and Maintenance at Smith+Nephew, joins Emerj's Marilie Fouche to examine how capturing best practices and connecting machines for real‑time data can tighten control and reduce variability across shifts. He highlights the practical moves leaders can make now — from standardizing training and strengthening process baselines to introducing data‑driven feedback loops that prevent scrap and stabilize production. This episode is sponsored by Poka. Learn how brands work with Emerj and other Emerj Media options at go.emerj.com/partner
Fluent Fiction - Dutch: Capturing Dreams: Jasper's Journey to the Perfect Snapshot Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/nl/episode/2026-05-01-07-38-20-nl Story Transcript:Nl: Het was een zonnige lentedag in Nederland.En: It was a sunny spring day in Nederland.Nl: De lucht strakblauw.En: The sky was a clear blue.Nl: De Keukenhof-tuinen stonden in volle bloei.En: The Keukenhof-gardens were in full bloom.Nl: Overal om hen heen stonden tulpen in alle kleuren mogelijk.En: Tulips of all possible colors stood all around them.Nl: Rode, gele, paarse, en witte.En: Red, yellow, purple, and white.Nl: Studeren viel makkelijk met zoveel schoonheid om je heen.En: Studying came easily with so much beauty around you.Nl: Jasper, Annelies en Hendrik waren op schoolreis.En: Jasper, Annelies, and Hendrik were on a school trip.Nl: De school had de excursie naar de Keukenhof georganiseerd ter ere van Koningsdag.En: The school had organized the excursion to the Keukenhof in honor of Koningsdag.Nl: Iedereen droeg oranje hoedjes en vlaggetjes, terwijl ze groepjes vormden en de bloemen bewonderden.En: Everyone wore orange hats and flags while they formed groups and admired the flowers.Nl: Jasper was echter gefocust op zijn camera.En: However, Jasper was focused on his camera.Nl: Hij had een opdracht.En: He had an assignment.Nl: Hij moest de perfecte foto maken voor een schoolwedstrijd.En: He had to take the perfect photo for a school competition.Nl: "Jasper, kom mee!"En: "Jasper, come along!"Nl: riep Annelies enthousiast.En: called Annelies enthusiastically.Nl: Ze wilde meedoen aan een spel dat de leraren organiseerden.En: She wanted to join in a game that the teachers were organizing.Nl: "NEE, ik moet een foto maken," mompelde Jasper, zijn blik gericht op een zee van tulpen.En: "NO, I have to take a photo," mumbled Jasper, his gaze fixed on a sea of tulips.Nl: Maar op dat moment verzamelde een grote groep toeristen zich recht voor hem.En: But at that moment, a large group of tourists gathered right in front of him.Nl: Zijn uitzicht werd volledig geblokkeerd.En: His view was completely blocked.Nl: Frustratie borrelde op.En: Frustration bubbled up.Nl: Het was de perfecte plek, maar nu kon hij niets doen.En: It was the perfect spot, but now he couldn't do anything.Nl: "Kom op, Jasper," drong Annelies aan.En: "Come on, Jasper," urged Annelies.Nl: Hendrik, stil zoals altijd, legde een hand op Jasper's schouder.En: Hendrik, quiet as always, placed a hand on Jasper's shoulder.Nl: "Waarom probeer je niet een ander perspectief?"En: "Why not try another perspective?"Nl: stelde hij zachtjes voor en knikte naar een kleine heuvel in de verte.En: he softly suggested, nodding toward a small hill in the distance.Nl: Met nieuwe hoop rende Jasper naar de heuvel, zijn hart klopte in zijn borst.En: With new hope, Jasper ran to the hill, his heart pounding in his chest.Nl: Hij keek snel om zich heen.En: He quickly looked around.Nl: Niemand leek op te letten dat hij van de groep afdwaalde.En: No one seemed to notice that he was straying from the group.Nl: Hij beklom de heuvel.En: He climbed the hill.Nl: Vanaf daar zag hij de hele tuin verspreid onder hem liggen.En: From there, he saw the entire garden spread out below him.Nl: Het uitzicht was adembenemend.En: The view was breathtaking.Nl: Helder, kleurrijk en vol leven.En: Bright, colorful, and full of life.Nl: Met trillende handen maakte hij de foto.En: With trembling hands, he took the photo.Nl: Zijn vinger klikte snel op de knop van de camera.En: His finger clicked quickly on the button of the camera.Nl: Het was de perfecte momentopname.En: It was the perfect snapshot.Nl: Niet veel later kwam hij weer bij Annelies en Hendrik.En: Not long after, he returned to Annelies and Hendrik.Nl: "Kijk," zei Jasper terwijl hij de foto liet zien.En: "Look," said Jasper as he showed the photo.Nl: Annelies knikte goedkeurend, met een grote glimlach.En: Annelies nodded approvingly, with a big smile.Nl: "Dat is prachtig!"En: "That's beautiful!"Nl: zei ze.En: she said.Nl: De volgende dag op school verklaarde de leraar de foto van Jasper als winnaar van de wedstrijd.En: The next day at school, the teacher declared Jasper's photo as the winner of the competition.Nl: Jasper straalde van trots.En: Jasper beamed with pride.Nl: Hij had niet alleen een prachtige foto geschoten, hij had ook geleerd dat het belangrijk was om initiatief te nemen.En: He had not only captured a beautiful photo, but he had also learned that it was important to take initiative.Nl: Vanaf die dag wist Jasper dat hij meer was dan alleen een rustige jongen met een camera.En: From that day on, Jasper knew that he was more than just a quiet boy with a camera.Nl: Hij was iemand die zijn dromen kon najagen, zelfs als dat betekende dat hij even het veilige pad moest verlaten.En: He was someone who could chase his dreams, even if it meant stepping off the safe path for a while.Nl: En dat voelde als een overwinning op zich.En: And that felt like a victory in itself. Vocabulary Words:sunny: zonnigeclear: strakbloom: bloeienenthusiastically: enthousiastmumbled: mompeldegaze: blikbubbled: borreldeperspective: perspectiefsoftly: zachtjesdistance: vertestraying: afdwalentrembling: trillendesnapshot: momentopnamebeamed: straaldeinitiative: initiatiefvictory: overwinningexcursion: excursieadmired: bewonderdencompetition: wedstrijdview: uitzichtblocked: geblokkeerdfrustration: frustratiesuggested: voorsteldehill: heuvelchest: borstbreath-taking: adembenemendbutton: knopdeclared: verklaardepride: trotschase: najagen
In this episode, we are joined by Michael Kothakota for a deeply technical and thought-provoking conversation on interdependent integrative financial planning theory. Drawing from his background in academic research and real-world advisory practice, Michael introduces a mathematical framework designed to capture the full complexity of financial planning—where decisions across domains like taxes, investments, and estate planning are interconnected and constantly evolving. We explore why traditional economic models fall short in capturing the individualized and multi-dimensional nature of financial planning, and how Michael's approach uses tools like multi-objective optimization and dynamic programming to better reflect reality. He explains how client preferences, time-varying priorities, and uncertainty all interact within the model—and why even identical financial situations can lead to very different optimal decisions. This episode is a deep dive into the mechanics of financial advice, offering a new lens on how planners can create value by integrating decisions across domains and aligning them with what clients truly care about. Key Points From This Episode: (0:04:00) Introduction to the episode and why this topic leans heavily into financial planning complexity. (1:04:00) The core takeaway: integrating all financial planning domains leads to better outcomes than siloed advice. (5:35:00) What interdependent integrative financial planning theory is—and why interdependencies matter. (7:16:00) Why traditional economic theories like portfolio optimization and consumption smoothing fall short. (9:37:00) The central insight: financial planning must account for structure, preferences, and time. (12:12:00) Modeling financial planning as a complex, preference-weighted system over time. (14:25:00) Why identical financial situations can still lead to different optimal advice. (17:50:00) Multi-objective optimization and the competing goals within financial planning. (21:09:00) The role of dynamic programming in solving sequential financial decisions. (23:42:00) Evidence on whether financial planners improve client outcomes—and the limitations of existing data. (26:58:00) The architecture of the model: structural tensor, priority weights, and discount matrix. (30:31:00) Why financial planning is "non-smooth" and filled with constraints and trade-offs. (33:57:00) How changing strategies over time are captured through evolving "strategy spaces." (36:50:00) The six financial planning domains and their respective objective functions. (42:35:00) The priority matrix: quantifying what clients actually care about. (44:41:00) Discount rates and urgency—how priorities shift over time and with life events. (47:58:00) Why financial planning must account for uncertainty and changing preferences. (49:53:00) The role of financial planners in shaping and educating client priorities. (51:07:00) The four-tier architecture that combines structure, preferences, and urgency. (52:47:00) Capturing uncertainty: endogenous vs. exogenous risks and planning for shocks. (55:39:00) Theoretical results: integration premium and value loss from misaligned advice. (58:09:00) Practical takeaway: always consider cross-domain effects when giving advice. (1:02:24) Real-world example of value destruction from siloed expert advice. (1:06:34) Why the value of integration scales with complexity—not just wealth. (1:07:42) The enduring importance of human financial planners in navigating complexity. Links: Meet with PWL Capital: https://calendly.com/d/3vm-t2j-h3p Rational Reminder on iTunes — https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-rational-reminder-podcast/id1426530582. Rational Reminder on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/rationalreminder/ Rational Reminder on YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/channel/ Benjamin Felix — https://pwlcapital.com/our-team/ Benjamin on X — https://x.com/benjaminwfelix Benjamin on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminwfelix/ Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com)
Today I'm joined by Jim Roche, CEO of Warrcloud. This conversation breaks down the massive $32 billion surge in warranty work, why customer pay is decelerating, and how dealers can use technology to fix "leaky" receivables and technician dissatisfaction. Jim reveals the tactical steps needed to modernize the service lane before the "death spiral" of rising prices drives your customers away. This episode is brought to you by: 1. Podium - the AI platform trusted by one in three dealerships. Podium helps dealers consolidate sales, service, messaging, and voice into one connected system that actually runs the work. If your AI isn't driving real outcomes, it's time to take a closer look @ here 2. CDG Recruiting – Hire top dealership talent, fast. From sales managers to GMs and C-suite execs, we've placed over 1,000 roles across auto retail. Ready to scale without the hassle? Visit @ here to get started. 3. WarrCloud - Your warranty claims process shouldn't drain your profits—or your people. Dealers reduce costs, speed up reimbursements, and uncover new revenue opportunities—while consistently improving OEM claim scores. The future of fixed ops belongs to those who adapt. Let's talk about automating your warranty processing today. Visit @ here Check out Car Dealership Guy's stuff: For dealers: CDG Circles ➤ https://cdgcircles.com/ Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Dealership recruiting ➤ http://www.cdgrecruiting.com Fix your dealership's social media ➤ http://www.trynomad.co Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com For industry vendors: Advertise with Car Dealership Guy ➤ http://www.cdgpartner.com Industry job board ➤ http://jobs.dealershipguy.com Request to be a podcast guest ➤ http://www.cdgguest.com Topics: 04:20 The Death Spiral Pricing Out Customers 06:50 Why Techs Feel Underpaid for Warranty 08:50 Why Your $25 Clerk Can't Handle Warranty 12:25 Fixed Ops Now Drives 54% 14:40 The $6 Million in Warranty Receivables 18:45 The Bob and Gladys Factor Killing Profits 22:10 Why 54% of Gross Gets 0% Time 24:15 The Two-Step AI Primer for Dealers 26:25 The Two-Day AI Summit That Changed Walzer Car Dealership Guy Socials: X ➤ x.com/GuyDealership Instagram ➤ instagram.com/cardealershipguy/ TikTok ➤ tiktok.com/@guydealership LinkedIn ➤ linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy Threads ➤ threads.net/@cardealershipguy Facebook ➤ facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683 Everything else ➤ dealershipguy.com
In this episode of FYI, Brett Winton and Charles Roberts sit down with Michael Stewart of M12, Microsoft's venture fund, to examine how AI is reshaping software, infrastructure, and investment strategy. Michael explains how M12 identifies emerging signals across the AI ecosystem, from generative AI adoption to enterprise spending shifts. The conversation covers the evolution from SaaS (software as a service) to AI-driven models, pricing dynamics, and the growing importance of compute efficiency. They also discuss future opportunities in consumer AI, material science, and the need to rethink the data center as demand for AI accelerates.Key Points From This Episode: 00:00:00 Introduction to M12 and its role within Microsoft00:04:41 The current AI landscape and platform shift thesis00:09:47 The gap between technical capability and user adoption00:14:33 Compute constraints and the need for model efficiency00:20:55 The concept of “wholesale AI” and token-based enterprise models00:28:00 Uneven AI usage across users and organizations00:31:47 Capturing value: productivity gains vs. software pricing00:35:34 Investment themes: consumer AI and smart TV experiences00:38:58 AI in science and material discovery opportunities00:44:35 Introduction to the data center of the future00:51:35 Capital markets, AI demand, and infrastructure investment gaps00:55:53 Why current AI investment narratives may be backward-lookingEditing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com)
In this episode, Brian shares a detailed "Open Letter" from Bill Munns, one of the foremost analysts of the Patterson-Gimlin Film, responding to the controversy surrounding the new documentary "Capturing Bigfoot." Bill was interviewed on the show weeks ago about his role in the documentary, where he physically inspected the newly discovered forty-second film clip that many are calling a dress rehearsal for the PGF.Eric Palacios from the Hairy Man Road YouTube channel was also interviewed after seeing the documentary at the South by Southwest film festival in March 2026. The two men saw the same clip and came away with fundamentally different conclusions. Bill says it's a replica filmed after the PGF. Eric says he saw Patty. In his email, Bill lays out a thorough case for why the documentary fails to meet scientific or evidentiary standards, challenges the dating of the new footage, and argues the replica hypothesis is far more logical than the rehearsal narrative the filmmakers are pushing.After reading the email in full, Brian offers his own take on how two credible people can see the same evidence and reach opposite conclusions, addresses the role that vested interests play in shaping interpretation, and makes the case that the real question isn't when the clip was filmed but what it actually shows.Brian also shares a conversation with his Bigfoot Inquiry Podcast co-host Dr. Hogan Sherrow that reshaped how he thinks about the difference between seeking truth and seeking facts.Email BrianGet Our FREE NewsletterGet Brian's Books Leave Us A VoicemailVisit Our WebsiteBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sasquatch-odyssey--4839697/support.Have you had a Bigfoot encounter, Sasquatch sighting, Dogman experience, or other cryptid or paranormal encounter? We'd love to hear your story. Email brian@paranormalworldproductions.com to be featured on a future episode of Sasquatch Odyssey.Sasquatch Odyssey is a leading Bigfoot and cryptid podcast exploring real encounters, field research, and scientific analysis of the Sasquatch phenomenon.Follow the show and turn on automatic downloads so you never miss an episode.
PREVIEW FOR LATER. GUEST: Bob Zimmerman Bob Zimmerman explores security in Low Earth Orbit, highlighting military interests in inspecting and capturing satellites. He expresses concern over potential government overregulation of space traffic, which is currently managed efficiently by the private companies. (4)1957