Podcasts about Caribbean

In this episode of The Costume House with Spencer Williams, we journey to the shores of the new film, The Bluff.Spencer is joined by returning guest of the podcast, costume designer Antoinette Messam. Set against the backdrop of a Caribbean island under siege, The Bluff follows a woman whose hidden past resurfaces as a ruthless crew of pirates arrives—sparking a powerful story of identity, resilience, and confrontation.Together, they explore the rich research that shaped the film's distinct visual worlds, from the clothing of the island's community to the striking, weathered looks of the pirate crew. From the commanding presence of Bloody Mary's cuirass to the way blood, salt, and sand transform the costumes on screen, this conversation dives into the textures and elements that define the film's aesthetic. And yes—there's also a red carpet moment that every costume nerd will appreciate.

In this episode of The Costume House with Spencer Williams, we journey to the shores of the new film, The Bluff.Spencer is joined by returning guest of the podcast, costume designer Antoinette Messam. Set against the backdrop of a Caribbean island under siege, The Bluff follows a woman whose hidden past resurfaces as a ruthless crew of pirates arrives—sparking a powerful story of identity, resilience, and confrontation.Together, they explore the rich research that shaped the film's distinct visual worlds, from the clothing of the island's community to the striking, weathered looks of the pirate crew. From the commanding presence of Bloody Mary's cuirass to the way blood, salt, and sand transform the costumes on screen, this conversation dives into the textures and elements that define the film's aesthetic. And yes—there's also a red carpet moment that every costume nerd will appreciate.

Jovan Glasgow is the Founder and CEO of Glasgow International, a global coaching and leadership development brand focused on human transformation and organizational impact. From humble beginnings in the Caribbean to building a global coaching platform, his work centers on helping leaders unlock their true potential through authenticity, resilience, and introspection. In this conversation with host Sarah Nicastro, Jovan breaks down why the biggest competition you face isn't external—but internal—and how releasing ego, overcoming fear, and challenging what you've normalized can unlock real, lasting transformation.He explains:▪️Why competing with others limits your growth—and how to focus on your true capacity▪️How ego shows up as “looking good vs being good” in leadership▪️Why fear doesn't stop action—but stops boldness and authenticity▪️The concept of “perception prison” and how it silently holds people back▪️The two hidden blockers of performance: shame and unforgiveness▪️Why releasing disappointment is a daily decision—not a feeling▪️The 4-step practice to stay grounded and lead with an open heart▪️How “normalize, rationalize, actualize” shapes your results and long-term successFollow along:00:00 Intro01:20 From the Caribbean to Transformational Leadership12:00 Stop Competing Against Others, Compete Against Yourself18:46 Fire Your Representative: Lead With Authentic Confidence26:03 Fear Doesn't Stop Action—It Stops Boldness35:47 The Decision Precedes Ability: Releasing Disappointment45:33 The Power of Perspective Over Perception49:44 Seven Minutes of Solitude: Open Hands, Open Heart52:45 Challenge Your Norms: What You Normalize, You Actualize56:00 Key Takeaways & Final ThoughtsFollow Sarah Nicastro on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahhowland/Subscribe to The Insider Newsletter: https://www.futureoffieldservice.com/the-insider/Follow Future of Field Service on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/future-of-field-service/Follow Future of Assets on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/future-of-assets/Learn more about the UNSCRIPTED podcast: https://futureoffieldservice.com/podcast/

As the humanitarian and energy crisis in Cuba worsens, US President Donald Trump has announced he plans on "taking" the Caribbean island. Desperate for relief from a US-imposed blockade, Cuban citizens and members of the diaspora say that while they're hopeful for change, they're fearful of the US agenda.

It's Tuesday, March 17th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Kevin Swanson and Timothy Reed Cuba is on verge of collapse Cuba, a communist country in the Western Hemisphere, is on the verge of collapse. Oil shipments to the island nation stopped three months ago and the nation's electric grid gave out over the weekend. Plus, the country's Gross Domestic Product, the total monetary value of all goods and services produced within a country's borders, slipped another 5% last year.  According to the United Nation's Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, communist Cuba has the worst GDP/capita in Latin America — barely reaching $1,000 per year. The worst economies in Latin America are communist Venezuela, communist Nicaragua, communist Cuba, and Haiti.  Cuba is ripest nation for spiritual revival Despite the economic doom and gloom, Cuba appears to be the ripest for spiritual revival of any nation in the world today.   The Baptists have reported a 40-fold increase in the number of churches since 1990.  One estimate puts the total number of Cuban believers at two million. That's about 20% of the population -- higher than membership in the communist party for the country. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus promised that “He would build His church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” 47% of Americans oppose the U.S.-Iranian war Americans continue to have mixed opinions about the Iran conflict. New polling averages, from Real Clear Politics, found that 44% of Americans support the war, while 47% oppose the fight.  Similarly, a Quinnipiac poll found that only 40% of Americans favor the war, with 53% in opposition. A whopping 74% of Americans are opposed to sending ground troops into the war, something the Trump administration has not ruled out.  Court allows naked men in women's spa The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has let stand a lower court ruling requiring a private spa, intended for women, to allow naked men to frequent the premises. The Washington State spa owners insisted this policy would be contrary to their Christian beliefs.  Thus far, at least five judges have filed dissents on the decision. 19% of employees at U.S. companies are foreign workers American corporations are hiring foreign workers like never before, recent numbers indicate 19.2% of their employees are foreign workers, up from 12% twenty years ago.  Another 10% of the U.S. workforce is also provided for by digital offshoring by organizations like Upwork. That makes almost a third of the U.S. workforce now provided for by foreigners. Pastor: If you're a Christian, don't live in sin with someone Megachurch pastor Josh Howerton of LakePointe Church in Dallas, Texas, challenged Christian couples to stop living in sin. HOWERTON: “The Bible is going to say things about marriage, sexuality and divorce that are very controversial to the world. My response to that is: ‘To who?' Because what the world says about marriage is controversial to Heaven. I would rather Heaven be pleased and the world say we're controversial than be applauded by the world and controversial before Heaven.” Pastor Howerton concluded his sermon with this challenge. HOWERTON: “You're living with somebody that's not your spouse. You're sleeping with somebody that's not your spouse. Or you've actually already started a family and had kids with somebody that's not your spouse. “And you, right now, are coming under the loving conviction of the Holy Spirit that you need to honor God, bend your knee to Jesus, put a ring on it, and enter into a covenant with a person that you're already acting like you're in a covenant with. “What I want you to know is we want to help you do that, because we got a little thing at Lakepoint. We say, ‘The only time we look down on people is to give them a hand up.' “So, here's what we want to do. We got a whole team of pastors. We are ready to have a mass wedding ceremony. I'm 100% serious. We got people. We're gonna walk with you, counsel you, help you, and then we're gonna get you married. We're gonna throw a big party. “And guess what? Your church family is not going to be doing. These people aren't going to be judging you. They're going to be cheering you on as you step forward into obedience to Jesus Christ.” Remarkably, following the sermon, 52 couples came forward and were married at the church a couple of weeks later. Isaiah 1:18 says, “Come now, and let us reason together, says the LORD. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.'” Tennessee bill to abolish abortion died in committee A bill before the Tennessee State legislature that would have fully banned abortion was killed in the legislature's Health Subcommittee last week, reports the Nashville Banner. The bill would have criminalized abortion and given equal protection to the unborn under the law. However, the measure was actively opposed by both pro-abortion and pro-life groups, who argued the law was too strict.  Bradley Pierce, president of the Foundation to Abolish Abortion, stated, “I don't think it's merciful to tell women that they're allowed to murder their children. To those who say that having a blanket exemption for women is merciful, do you apply that to any other area of law?”  Similar bills have been introduced, both in Democratic and Republican states, and thus far, none have passed.  Proverbs 24:11 admonishes us to “Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.” Christian apologist shares Christ on popular podcast Apologist Wes Huff clearly explained the Gospel of Jesus Christ to entrepreneur Steven Bartlett on Bartlett's “Diary of a CEO” podcast — among the top podcasts in the world. In fact, 3 million people listen per episode. BARTLETT: “If I sin in my life, do I go to hell?” HUFF:  “Here's the thing: everybody is going to hell. Everybody. The Bible is very clear. All good people go to Heaven, but Jesus said, ‘No one is good but God alone.' So, if all good people go to Heaven, and no one is good but God alone, only God is in Heaven.” BARTLETT: “Mmm.” HUFF:  “So, Christianity says you're not going to be able to do, feel or think good enough. Compared to God, you're always going to fall short. Be perfect as your Father in Heaven is perfect, is what Scripture says. That's an impossible standard. “The message of the Bible, the reason why it's called the Gospel, the Good News, is because of the bad news. The bad news is you're dead in your sins and trespasses and you can't save yourself. Jesus, as the second Person of the Trinity, steps off of His throne in eternity, comes into humanity, and He pays the penalty of the sin that you deserve.” Romans 3:23 gives us the bad news. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” And Romans 5:8 gives us the Good News. "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Oscars awarded to foul-mouthed, immoral R-rated movies And finally, the 98th Academy Award ceremonies awarded more R-rated movies with top prizes again this year. One Battle After Another, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn, took the Best Picture award — a film celebrating revolution, killing ICE agents, and murdering pro-life legislators.  It played with moral ambiguity and satire, while encouraging revolutionary activity in society. Sadly, the film, which features the most obscene word 135 times and the Lord's name used in vain 20 times, garnered six Oscars. Another R-rated movie, Sinners, collected four more Oscars. The film glorified demonism, African animism, murderers, adulterers, and hoodoo witches, while condemning Christianity for its alleged legalism and white oppression. Sinners features the Lord's name taken in vain 11 times. I John 2:15-17 says, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father, but from the world.  The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Tuesday, March 17th, in the year of our Lord 2026. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

It was the Oscars.But Mark and Jack didn't want to talk about the Oscars. Instead, Jack convinces Mark that The Pirates of the Caribbean is actually Good.With thanks to Richard Gay, and to The Sun Pub in London's Drury Lane.Kermode on Film is an HLA Agency production© HLA Agency Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Greg Cote Show: Join Greg on his Caribbean cruise vacation with stops in Tortola, Antigua, Barbados, St. Lucia and Nevis & St. Kitts -- plus Catchphrase #s 30/29 and more on new GCS Episode 314 out now! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

7. Joseph Ellis, *The Cause: The American Revolution and Its Discontents, 1773 to 1783*. The entry of France and Spain transformed the rebellion into a global war, forcing Britain to prioritize its Caribbean sugar islands. Despite political pressure, George III and George Germaineremained stubbornly committed to the war. Washington simultaneously faced internal threats, including the betrayal of Charles Lee, who shared secrets with the British while in captivity. On the frontier, Washington authorized a "dirty war" led by John Sullivan, which destroyed the Iroquois Confederation after they aligned with the British, who had incentivized them with "scalping knives" and payments for American scalps. (7)1780

What makes a character so compelling that readers will forgive almost anything about the plot? How do you move beyond vague flaws and generic descriptions to create people who feel pulled from real life? In this solo episode, I share 15 actionable tips for writing deep characters, curated from past interviews on the podcast. In the intro, thoughts from London Book Fair [Instagram reel @jfpennauthor; Publishing Perspectives; Audible; Spotify]; Insights from a 7-figure author business [BookBub]. This show is supported by my Patrons. Join my Community and get articles, discounts, and extra audio and video tutorials on writing craft, author business, and AI tools, at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn This episode has been created from previous episodes of The Creative Penn Podcast, curated by Joanna Penn, as well as chapters from How to Write a Novel: From Idea to Book. Links to the individual episodes are included in the transcript below. In this episode: Master the ‘Believe, Care, Invest' trifecta, how to hook readers on the very first page Define the Dramatic Question: Who is your character when the chips are down? Absolute specificity. Why “she's controlling” isn't good enough Understand the Heroine's Journey, strength through connection, not solo action Use ‘Metaphor Families' to anchor dialogue and give every character a distinctive voice Find the Diagnostic Detail, the moments that prove a character is real Writing pain onto the page without writing memoir Write diverse characters as real people, not stereotypes or plot devices Give your protagonist a morally neutral ‘hero' status. Compelling beats likeable. Build vibrant side characters for series longevity and spin-off potential Use voice as a rhythmic tool Link character and plot until they're inseparable Why discovery writers can write out of order and still build deep character Find the sensory details that make characters live and breathe More help with how to write fiction here, or in my book, How to Write a Novel. Writing Characters: 15 Tips for Writing Deep Character in Your Fiction In today's episode, I'm sharing fifteen tips for writing deep characters, synthesised from some of the most insightful interviews on The Creative Penn Podcast over the past few years, combined with what I've learned across more than forty books of my own. I'll be referencing episodes with Matt Bird, Will Storr, Gail Carriger, Barbara Nickless, and Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer. I'll also draw on my own book, How to Write a Novel, which covers these fundamentals in detail. Whether you're writing your first novel or your fiftieth, whether you're a plotter or a discovery writer like me, these tips will help you create characters that readers believe in, care about, and invest in—and keep coming back for more. Let's get into it. 1. Master the ‘Believe, Care, Invest' Trifecta When I spoke with Matt Bird on episode 624, he laid out the three things you need to achieve on the very first page of your book or in the first ten minutes of a film. He calls it “Believe, Care, and Invest.” First, the reader must believe the character is a real person, somehow proving they are not a cardboard imitation of a human being, not just a generic type walking through a generic plot. Second, the reader must care about the character's circumstances. And third, the reader must invest in the character's ability to solve the story's central problem. Matt used The Hunger Games as his primary example, and it's brilliant. On the very first page, we believe Katniss's voice. Suzanne Collins writes in first person with a staccato rhythm—lots of periods, short declarative sentences—that immediately grounds us in a survivalist mentality. We care because Katniss is starving. She's protecting her little sister. And we invest because she is out there bow hunting, which Matt pointed out is one of the most badass things a character can do. She even kills a lynx two pages in and sells the pelt. We invest in her resourcefulness and grit before the plot has even begun. Matt was very clear that this has nothing to do with the character being “likable.” He said his subtitle, Writing a Hero Anyone Will Love, doesn't mean the character has to be a good person. He described “hero” as both gender-neutral and morally neutral. A hero can be totally evil or totally good. What matters is that we believe, care, and invest. He demonstrated this beautifully by breaking down the first ten minutes of WeCrashed, where the characters of Adam and Rebekah Neumann are absolutely not likable, but we are completely hooked. Adam steals his neighbour's Chinese food through a carefully orchestrated con involving an imaginary beer. It's not admirable behaviour, but the tradecraft involved, as Matt put it—using a term from spy movies—makes us invest in him. We see a character trying to solve the big problem of his life, which is that he's poor and wants to be rich, and we want to see if he can pull it off. Actionable step: Go to the first page of your current work in progress. Does it achieve all three? Does the reader believe this is a real person with a distinctive voice? Do they care about the character's circumstances? And do they invest in the character's ability to handle what's coming? If even one of those three is missing, that's your revision priority. 2. Define the Dramatic Question: Who Are They Really? Will Storr, author of The Science of Storytelling, came on episode 490 and gave one of the most powerful frameworks I've ever heard for character-driven fiction. He explained that the human brain evolved language primarily to swap social information—in other words, to gossip. We are wired to monitor other people, to ask the question: who is this person when the chips are down? That's what Will calls the Dramatic Question, and it's what he believes lies at the heart of all compelling storytelling. It's not a question about plot. It's a question about the character's soul. And every scene in your novel should force the character to answer it. His example of Lawrence of Arabia is unforgettable. The Dramatic Question for the entire film is: who are you, Lawrence? Are you ordinary or are you extraordinary? At the beginning, Lawrence is a cocky, rebellious young soldier who believes his rebelliousness makes him superior. Every iconic scene in that three-hour film tests that belief. Sometimes Lawrence acts as though he truly is extraordinary—leading the Arabs into battle, being hailed as a god—and sometimes the world strips him bare and he sees himself as ordinary. Because it's a tragedy, he never overcomes his flaw. He doubles down on his belief that he's extraordinary until he becomes monstrous, culminating in that iconic scene where he lifts a bloody dagger and sees his own reflection with horror. Will also used Jaws to demonstrate how this works in a pure action thriller. Brody's dramatic question is simple: are you going to be old Brody who is terrified of the water, or new Brody who can overcome that fear? Every scene where the shark appears is really asking that question. And the last moment of the film isn't the shark blowing up. It's Brody swimming back through the water, saying he used to be scared of the water and he can't imagine why. Actionable step: Write down the Dramatic Question for your protagonist in a single sentence. Is it “Are you ordinary or extraordinary?” or “Are you brave enough to love again?” or “Will you sacrifice your principles for survival?” If you can't answer this with specificity, your character might still be a sketch rather than a person. 3. Get rid of Vague Flaws, and use Absolute Specificity This was one of Will Storr's most important points. He said that vague thinking about characters is really the enemy. When he teaches workshops and asks writers to describe their character's flaw, most of them say something like “they're very controlling.” And Will's response is: that's not good enough. Everyone is controlling. How are they controlling? What's the specific mechanism? He gave the example of a profile he read of Theresa May during the UK's Brexit chaos. Someone who knew her said that Theresa May's problem was that she always thinks she's the only adult in every room she goes into. Will said that stopped him in his tracks because it's so precise. If you define a character with that level of specificity, you can take them and put them in any genre, any situation—a spaceship, a Victorian drawing room, a school playground—and you will know exactly how they're going to behave. The same applies to Arthur Miller's Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman, as Will described it: a man who believes absolutely in capitalistic success and the idea that when you die, you're going to be weighed on a scale, just as God weighs you for sin, but now you're weighed for success. That's not a vague flaw. That's a worldview you can drop into any story and watch it combust. Will made another counterintuitive point that I found really valuable: writers often think that piling on multiple traits will create a complex character, but the opposite is true. Starting with one highly specific flaw and running it through the demands of a relentless plot is what generates complexity. You end up with a far more nuanced, original character than if you'd started with a laundry list of vague attributes. Actionable step: Take your protagonist's flaw and pressure-test it. Is it specific enough that you could place this character in any situation and predict their behaviour? If you're stuck at “she's stubborn” or “he's insecure,” keep pushing. What kind of stubborn? What kind of insecure? Find the diagnostic sentence—the Theresa May level of precision. 4. Understand the Heroine's Journey: Strength Through Connection Gail Carriger came on episode 550 to discuss her nonfiction book, The Heroine's Journey, and it completely reframed how I think about some of my own fiction. Gail explained that the core difference between the Hero's Journey and the Heroine's Journey comes down to how strength and victory are defined. The Hero's Journey is about strength through solo action. The hero must be continually isolated to get stronger. He goes out of civilisation, faces strife alone, and achieves victory through physical prowess and self-actualisation. The Heroine's Journey is the opposite. The heroine achieves her goals by activating a network. She's a delegator, a general. She identifies where she can't do something alone, finds the people who can help, and portions out the work for mutual gain. Gail put it simply: the heroine is very good at asking for help, which our culture tends to devalue but which is actually a powerful form of strength. Crucially, Gail stressed that gender is irrelevant to which journey you're writing. Her go-to examples are striking: the recent Wonder Woman film is practically a beat-for-beat hero's journey—Gilgamesh on screen, as Gail described it. Meanwhile, Harry Potter, both the first book and the series as a whole, is a classic heroine's journey. Harry's power comes from his network—Dumbledore's Army, the Order of the Phoenix, his friendships with Ron and Hermione. He doesn't defeat Voldemort alone. He defeats Voldemort because of love and connection. This distinction has real practical consequences for writers. If you're writing a hero's journey and you hit writer's block, Gail said, the solution is usually to isolate your hero further and pile on more strife. But if you're writing a heroine's journey, the solution is probably to throw a new character into the scene—someone who has advice to offer or a skill the heroine lacks. The actual solutions to writer's block are different depending on which narrative you're writing. As I reflected on my own work, I realised that my ARKANE thriller protagonist, Morgan Sierra, follows a hero's journey—she's a solo operative, a lone wolf like Jack Reacher or James Bond. But my Mapwalker fantasy series follows a heroine's journey, with Sienna and her group of friends working together. I hadn't consciously chosen those paths; the stories led me there. But understanding the framework helps me write more intentionally now. Actionable step: Identify which journey your protagonist is on. Does your character gain strength by being alone (hero) or by building connections (heroine)? This will inform every plot decision you make, from how they face obstacles to how your story ends. 5. Use ‘Metaphor Families' to Anchor Dialogue and Voice One of the most practical techniques Matt Bird shared on episode 624 is the idea of assigning each character a “metaphor family”—a specific well of language that they draw from. This gives each character a distinctive voice that goes beyond accent or dialect. Matt explained how in The Wire, one of the most beloved TV shows of all time, every character has a different metaphor family. What struck him was that Omar, this iconic character, never utters a single curse word in the entire series. His metaphor family is pirate. He talks about parlays, uses language that feels like it belongs in Pirates of the Caribbean, and it creates this incredible ironic counterpoint against his urban setting. It tells us immediately that this is a character who sees himself in a tradition of people that doesn't match his immediate surroundings. Matt also referenced the UK version of The Office, where Gareth works at a paper company but aspires to the military. So all of his language is drawn from a military metaphor family. He doesn't talk about filing and photocopying; he talks about tactics and discipline and being on the front line. This tells us that the character has a life and dreams beyond the immediate scene—and it's the gap between aspiration and reality that makes him both funny and believable. He pointed out that a metaphor family sometimes comes from a character's background, but it's often more interesting when it comes from their aspirations. What does your character want to be? What world do they fantasise about inhabiting? That's where their language should come from. In Star Wars, Obi-Wan Kenobi is a spiritual hermit, but his metaphor family is military. He uses the language of generals and commanders, and that ironic counterpoint is part of what makes him feel so rich. Actionable step: Assign each of your main characters a metaphor family. It could be based on their job, their background, or—more interestingly—their secret aspirations. Then go through your dialogue and make sure each character is consistently drawing from that well of language. If two characters sound the same when you strip away the dialogue tags, this is the fix. 6. Find the Diagnostic Detail: The Diagonal Toast Avoid clichéd character tags—the random scar, the eye patch, the mysterious limp—unless they serve a deep narrative purpose. Matt Bird on episode 624 was very funny about this: he pointed out that Nick Fury, Odin, and eventually Thor all have eye patches in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Eye patches are done, he said. You cannot do eye patches anymore. Instead, look for what I'm calling the “diagonal toast” detail, after a scene Matt described from Captain Marvel. In the film, Captain Marvel is trying to determine whether Nick Fury is who he says he is. She asks him to prove he isn't a shapeshifting alien. Fury shares biographical details—his history, his mother—but then she pushes further and says, name one more thing you couldn't possibly have made up about yourself. And Fury says: if toast is cut diagonally, I can't eat it. Matt said that detail is gold for a writer because it feels pulled from a real life. You can pull it from your own life and gift it to your characters, and the reader can tell it's not manufactured. He gave another example from The Sopranos: Tony Soprano's mother won't answer the phone after dark. The show's creator, David Chase, confirmed on the DVD commentary that this came from his own mother, who genuinely would not answer the phone after dark and couldn't explain why. Matt's practical advice was to keep a journal. Write down the strange, specific things that people do or say. Mine your own life for those hyper-specific details. You just need one per book. In my own writing, I've used this approach. In my ARKANE thrillers, my character Morgan Sierra has always been Angelina Jolie in my mind—specifically Jolie in Lara Croft or Mr and Mrs Smith. And Blake Daniel in my crime thriller series was based on Jesse Williams from Grey's Anatomy. I paste pictures of actors into my Scrivener projects. It helps with visuals, but also with the sense of the character, their energy and physicality. But visual details only take you so far. It's the behavioural quirks—the diagonal toast moments—that make a character feel genuinely alive. That said, physical character tags can work brilliantly when they serve the story. As I discuss in How to Write a Novel, Robert Galbraith's Cormoran Strike is an amputee, and his pain and the physical challenges of his prosthesis are a key part of every story—it's not a cosmetic detail, it's woven into the action and the character's psychology. My character Blake Daniel always wears gloves to cover the scars on his hands, which provides an angle into his wounded past as well as a visual cue for the reader. And of course, Harry Potter's lightning-shaped scar isn't just a mark—it's a direct connection to his nemesis and the mythology of the entire series. The rule of thumb is: if the tag tells us something about the character's interior life or connects to the plot, it's earning its place. If it's just there to make the character visually distinctive, it's probably a crutch. Game of Thrones takes character tags further with the family houses, each with their own mottos and sigils. The Starks say “Winter is coming” and their sigil is a dire wolf. Those aren't just labels—they're worldview made visible. Actionable step: Start a “diagonal toast” notebook. Every time you notice something strange and specific about someone's behaviour—something that feels too real to be made up—write it down. Then gift it to a character who needs more texture. 7. Displace Your Own Trauma into the Work Barbara Nickless shared something deeply personal on episode 732 that fundamentally changed how I think about putting pain onto the page. While starting At First Light, the first book in her Dr. Evan Wilding series, she lost her son to epilepsy—something called SUDEP, Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy. One day he was there, and the next day he was gone. Barbara said that writing helped her cope with the trauma, that doing a deep dive into Old English literature and the Viking Age for the book's research became a lifeline. But here's what's important: she didn't give Dr. Evan Wilding her exact trauma. Evan Wilding is four feet five inches, and Barbara described how he has to walk through a world that won't adjust to him. That's its own form of learning to cope when circumstances are beyond your control. She displaced her genuine grief into the character's different but parallel struggle. When I asked her about the difference between writing for therapy and writing for an audience, she drew on her experience teaching creative writing to veterans through a collaboration between the US Department of Defense and the National Endowment for the Arts. She said she's found that she can pour her heartache into her characters and process it through them, even when writing professionally, and that the genuine emotion is what touches readers. We've all been through our own losses and griefs, so seeing how a character copes can be deeply meaningful. I've always found that putting my own pain onto the page is the most direct way to connect with a reader's soul. My character Morgan Sierra's musings on religion and the supernatural are often my own. Her restlessness, her fascination with the darker edges of faith—those come from me. But her Krav Maga fighting skills and her ability to kill the bad guys are definitely her own. That gap between what's mine and what's hers is where the fiction lives. Barbara also said something on that episode that I wrote down and stuck on my wall. She said the act of producing itself is a balm to the soul. I've been thinking about that ever since. On my own wall, I have “Measure your life by what you create.” Different words, same truth. Actionable step: If you're carrying something heavy—grief, anger, fear, regret—consider how you might displace it into a character's different but emotionally parallel struggle. Don't copy your exact situation; transform it. The emotion will be genuine, and the reader will feel it. 8. Write Diverse Characters as Real People When I spoke with Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer on episode 673—Sarah is Choctaw and a historical fiction author honoured by the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian—she offered a perspective that every fiction writer needs to hear. The key message was to move away from stereotypes. Don't write your American Indian character as the “Wise Guide” who exists solely to dispense mystic wisdom to the white protagonist. Don't limit diverse characters to historical settings, as though they only exist in the past. Place them in normal, contemporary roles. Your spaceship captain, your forensic scientist, your small-town baker—any of them can be American Indian, or Nigerian, or Japanese, and their heritage should be a lived-in part of their identity, not the sole reason they exist in the story. I write international thrillers and dark fantasy, and my fiction is populated with characters from all over the world. I have a multi-cultural family and I've lived in many places and travelled widely, so I've met, worked with, and had relationships with people from different cultures. I find story ideas through travel, and if I set my books in a certain place, then the story is naturally populated with the people who live there. As I discuss in my book, How to Write a Novel, the world is a diverse place, so your fiction needs to be populated with all kinds of people. If I only populated my fiction with characters like me, they would be boring novels. There are many dimensions of difference—race, nationality, sex, age, body type, ability, religion, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, class, culture, education level—and even then, don't assume that similar types of people think the same way. Some authors worry they will make mistakes. We live in a time of outrage, and some authors have been criticised for writing outside their own experience. So is it too dangerous to try? Of course not. The media amplifies outliers, and most authors include diverse characters in every book without causing offence because they work hard to get it right. It's about awareness, research, and intent. Actionable step: Audit the cast of your current work in progress. Have you written a mono-cultural perspective for all of them? If so, consider who could bring a different background, perspective, or set of cultural specifics to the story. Not as a token addition, but as a real person with a real life. 9. Respect Tribal and Cultural Specificity Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer on episode 673 was emphatic about one thing: never treat diverse groups as monolithic. If you're writing a Native American character, you must research the specific nation. Choctaw is not Navajo, just as British is not French. Sarah described the distinct cultural markers of the Choctaw people—the diamond pattern you'll see on traditional shirts and dresses, which represents the diamondback rattlesnake. They have distinct dances and songs. She said that if she saw someone in traditional dress at a distance, she would know whether they were Choctaw based on what they were wearing. She encouraged writers who want to write specifically about a nation to get to know those people. Go to events, go to a powwow, learn about the individual culture. She noted that a big misconception is that American Indians exist only in the past—she stressed that they are still here, still living their cultures, and fiction should reflect that present reality. I took a similar approach when writing Destroyer of Worlds, which is set mostly in India. I read books about Hindu myth, watched documentaries about the sadhus, and had one of my Indian readers from Mumbai check my cultural references. For Risen Gods, set in New Zealand with a young Maori protagonist, I studied books about Maori mythology and fiction by Maori authors, and had a male Maori reader check for cultural issues. Research is simply an act of empathy. The practical takeaway is this: if you're going to include a character from a specific cultural background, do the work. Use specific cultural details rather than generic signifiers. Sarah talked about how even she fell into stereotypes when she was first writing, until her mother pointed them out. If someone from within a culture can fall into those traps, the rest of us certainly can. Do the research, try your best, ask for help, and apologise if you need to. Actionable step: If you're writing a character from a specific culture, identify three to five sensory or behavioural details that are particular to that culture—not the generic version, but the real, researched, lived-in version. Consider hiring a sensitivity reader from that community to check your work. 10. Give Your Protagonist a Morally Neutral ‘Hero' Status Matt Bird was clear about this on episode 624: the word “hero” simply means the protagonist, the person we follow through the story. It's a functional role, not a moral label. We don't have to like them. We don't even have to root for their goals in a moral sense. We just have to find them compelling enough to invest our attention in their problem-solving. Think of Succession, where every member of the Roy family is varying degrees of awful, and yet the show was utterly compelling. Or WeCrashed, where Adam Neumann is a narcissistic con artist, but we can't look away because he's trying to solve the enormous problem of building an empire from nothing, and the tradecraft he employs is fascinating. As I wrote in How to Write a Novel, readers must want to spend time with your characters. They don't have to be lovable or even likable—that will depend on your genre and story choices—but they have to be captivating enough that we want to spend time with them. A character who is trying to solve a massive problem will naturally draw investment from the audience, even if we wouldn't want to have tea with them. Will Storr extended this idea by pointing out that the audience will actually root for a character to solve their problem even if the audience doesn't actually want the character's goal to be achieved in the real world. We don't really want more billionaires, but we invested in Adam Neumann's rise because that was the problem the story posed, and our brains are wired to invest in problem-solving. This connects to something deeper: what does your character want, and why? As I explore in How to Write a Novel, desire operates on multiple levels. Take a character like Phil, who joins the military during wartime. On the surface, she wants to serve her country. But she also wants to escape her dead-end town and learn new skills. Deeper still, her father and grandfather served, and by joining up, she hopes to finally earn their respect. And perhaps deepest of all, her father died on a mission under mysterious circumstances, and she wants to find out what happened from the inside. That layering of motivation is what turns a flat character into a three-dimensional one. The audience doesn't need to be told all of this explicitly. It can emerge through action, dialogue, and the choices the character makes under pressure. But you, the writer, need to know it. You need to know what your character really wants deep down, because that desire—more than any external plot device—is what drives the story forward. And your antagonist needs the same depth. They also want something, often diametrically opposed to your protagonist, and they need a reason that makes sense to them. In my ARKANE thriller Tree of Life, my antagonist is the heiress of a Brazilian mining empire who wants to restore the Earth to its original state to atone for the destruction caused by her father's company. She's part of a radical ecological group who believe the only way to restore Nature is to end all human life. It's extreme, but in an era of climate change, it's a motivation readers can understand—even if they disagree with the solution. Actionable step: If you're struggling to make a morally grey character work, make sure their problem is big enough and their methods are specific and interesting enough that we invest in the how, even if we're ambivalent about the what. 11. Build Vibrant Side Characters Gail Carriger made a point on episode 550 that was equal parts craft advice and business strategy. In a Heroine's Journey model, side characters aren't just fodder to be killed off to motivate the hero. They form a network. And because you don't have to kill them—unlike in a hero's journey, where allies are often betrayed or removed so the hero can be further isolated—you can pick up those side characters and give them their own books. Gail said this creates a really voracious reader base. You write one series with vivid side characters, and then readers fall in love with those side characters and want their stories. So you write spin-offs. The romance genre does this brilliantly—think of the Bridgerton books, where each sibling gets their own novel. The side character in one book becomes the protagonist in the next. Barbara Nickless experienced this firsthand with her Dr. Evan Wilding series. She has River Wilding, Evan's adventurous brother, and Diana, the axe-throwing research assistant, and her editor has already expressed interest in a spin-off series with those characters. Barbara described creating characters she wants to spend time with, or characters who give her nightmares but also intrigue her. That's the dual test: are they interesting enough for you to write, and interesting enough for readers to demand more? As I wrote in How to Write a Novel, characters that span series can deepen the reader's relationship with them as you expand their backstory into new plots. Readers will remember the character more than the plot or the book title, and look forward to the next instalment because they want more time with those people. British crime author Angela Marsons described it as readers feeling like returning to her characters is like putting on a pair of old slippers. Actionable step: Look at your supporting cast. Is there a side character who is vivid enough to carry their own story? If not, what could you add—a specific hobby, a distinct voice, a compelling backstory—that would make readers want more of them? 12. Use Voice as a Rhythmic Tool Voice is one of the most important elements of novel writing, and Matt Bird helped me think about it in a technical, mechanical way that I found really useful. He pointed out that the ratio of periods to commas defines a character's internal reality. A staccato rhythm—lots of periods, short sentences—suggests a character who is certain, grounded, or perhaps survivalist and traumatised. Katniss in The Hunger Games has a period-heavy voice. She's in survival mode. She doesn't have time for complexity or qualification. A flowing, comma-heavy style suggests someone more academic, more nuanced, or possibly more scattered and manipulative. The character who qualifies everything, who adds sub-clauses and digressions, is a different kind of person from the character who speaks in declarations. This is something you can actually measure. Pull up a passage of your character's dialogue or internal monologue and count the periods versus the commas. If the rhythm doesn't match who the character is supposed to be, you've found a mismatch you can fix. Sentence length is the heartbeat of your character's persona. And voice extends beyond rhythm to the words themselves. As I discussed in the metaphor families tip, each character should draw from a distinctive well of language. But voice also encompasses their relationship to silence. Some characters talk around the thing they mean; others say it straight. Some are self-deprecating; others are blunt to the point of rudeness. All of these choices are character choices, not just style choices. I find it useful to read my dialogue aloud—and not just to check for naturalness, but to hear whether each character sounds distinct. If you could swap dialogue lines between two characters and nobody would notice, you have a voice problem. One practical test: cover the dialogue tags and see if you can tell who's speaking from the words alone. Actionable step: Choose a key passage from your protagonist's point of view and read it aloud. Does the rhythm match the character? A soldier under fire should not sound like a philosophy professor at a wine tasting. Adjust the ratio of periods to commas until the voice feels right. 13. Link Character and Plot Until They're Inseparable Will Storr made the case on episode 490 that the number one problem he sees in the writing he encounters—in workshops, in submissions, even in published books—is that the characters and the plots are unconnected. There's a story happening, and there are people in it, but the story isn't a product of who those people are. He said a story should be like life. In our lives, the plots are intimately connected to who we are as characters. The goals we pursue, the obstacles we face, the same problems that keep recurring—these are products of our personalities, our flaws, our specific ways of being in the world. His framework is that your plot should be designed specifically to plot against your character. You've got a character with a particular flaw; the plot exists to test that flaw over and over until the character either transforms or doubles down and explodes. Jaws is the perfect example. Brody is afraid of water. A shark shows up in the coastal town he's responsible for protecting. The entire plot is engineered to force him to confront the one thing he cannot face. Will pointed out that the whole plot of Jaws is structured around Brody's flaw. It begins with the shark arriving, the midpoint is when Brody finally gets the courage to go into the water, and the very final scene isn't the shark blowing up—it's Brody swimming back through the water. Even a film that's ninety-eight percent action is, at its core, structured around a character with a character flaw. This is the standard I aspire to in my own work, even in my action-heavy thrillers. The external plot should be a mirror of the internal struggle. When those two are aligned, the story becomes irresistible. Will also made an important point about series fiction, which is where most commercial authors live. I asked him how this works when your character can't be transformed at the end of every book because there has to be a next book. His answer was elegant: you don't cure them. Episodic TV characters like Fleabag or David Brent or Basil Fawlty never truly change—and the fact that they don't change is actually the source of the comedy. But every episode throws a new story event at them that tests and exposes their flaw. You just keep throwing story events at them again and again. That's a soap opera, a sitcom, and a book series. As I wrote in How to Write a Novel, character flaws are aspects of personality that affect the person so much that facing and overcoming them becomes central to the plot. In Jaws, the protagonist Brody is afraid of the water, but he has to overcome that flaw to destroy the killer shark and save the town. But remember, your characters should feel like real people, so never define them purely by their flaws. The character addicted to painkillers might also be a brilliant and successful female lawyer who gets up at four in the morning to work out at the gym, likes eighties music, and volunteers at the local dog shelter at weekends. Character wounds are different from flaws. They're formed from life experience and are part of your character's backstory—traumatic events that happened before the events of your novel but shape the character's reactions in the present. In my ARKANE thrillers, Morgan Sierra's husband Elian died in her arms during a military operation. This happened before the series begins, but her memories of it recur when she faces a firefight, and she struggles to find happiness again for fear of losing someone she loves once more. And then there's the perennial advice: show, don't tell. Most writers have heard this so many times that it's easy to nod and then promptly write scenes that tell rather than show. Basically, you need to reveal your character through action and dialogue, rather than explanation. In my thriller Day of the Vikings, Morgan Sierra fights a Neo-Viking in the halls of the British Museum and brings him down with Krav Maga. That fight scene isn't just about showing action. It opens up questions about her backstory, demonstrates character, and moves the plot forward. Telling would be something like: “Morgan was an expert in Krav Maga.” Showing is the reader discovering it through the scene itself. Actionable step: Look at the main plot events of your novel. For each major turning point, ask: does this scene specifically test my protagonist's flaw? If not, can you redesign the scene so that it does? The tighter the connection between character and plot, the more powerful the story. 14. The ‘Maestra' Approach: Write Out of Order If you're a discovery writer like me, you may feel like the deep character work I've been describing sounds more suited to plotters. But Barbara Nickless gave me a beautiful metaphor on episode 732 that reframes it entirely. Barbara described her evolving writing process as being like a maestra standing in front of an orchestra. Sometimes you bring in the horns—a certain theme—and sometimes you bring in the strings—a certain character—and sometimes you turn to the soloist. It's a more organic and jumping-around process than linear writing, and Barbara said she's only recently given herself permission to work this way. When I told her that I use Scrivener to write in scenes out of order and then drag and drop them into a structure later, she was genuinely intrigued. And this is how I've always worked. I'll see the story in my mind like a movie trailer—flashes of the big emotional scenes, the pivotal confrontations, the moments of revelation—and I write those first. I don't know how they hang together until quite late in the process. Then I'll move scenes around, print the whole thing out, and figure out the connective tissue. The point is that discovery writers can absolutely build deep characters. Sometimes writing the big emotional scenes first is how you discover who the character is before you fill in the rest. You don't need a twenty-page character worksheet or a 200-page outline like Jeffery Deaver. You need to be willing to follow the character into the unknown and trust that the structure will emerge. As Barbara said, she writes to know what she's thinking. That's the discovery writer's credo. And I would add: I write to know who my characters are. Actionable step: If you're stuck on your current chapter, skip it. Write the scene that's burning in your imagination, even if it's from the middle or the end. That scene might be the key to unlocking who your character really is. 15. Use Research to Help with Empathy Research shouldn't just be about factual accuracy—it's a tool for finding the sensory details that create empathy. Barbara Nickless described research as almost an excuse to explore things that fascinate her, and I feel exactly the same way. I would go so far as to say that writing is an excuse for me to explore the things that interest me. Barbara and I both travel for our stories. For her Dr. Evan Wilding books, she did deep research into Old English literature and the Viking Age. For my thriller End of Days, I transcribed hours of video from Appalachian snake-handling churches on YouTube to understand the worldview of the worshippers, because my antagonist was brought up in that tradition. I couldn't just make that up. I had to hear their language, feel their conviction, understand why they would hold venomous serpents as an act of faith. Barbara also mentioned getting to Israel and the West Bank for research, and I've been to both places too. Finding that one specific sensory detail—the smell of a particular location, the specific way an expert handles a tool, the sound of a particular kind of music—makes the character's life feel lived-in. It's the difference between a character who is described as living in a place and a character who inhabits it. As I wrote in How to Write a Novel, don't write what you know. Write what you want to learn about. I love research. It's part of why I'm an author in the first place. I take any excuse to dive into a world different from my own. Research using books, films, podcasts, and travel, and focus particularly on sources produced by people from the worldview you want to understand. Actionable step: For your next piece of character research, go beyond reading. Watch a documentary, visit a location, talk to someone who lives the experience. Find one sensory detail—a smell, a sound, a texture—that you couldn't have invented. That detail will make your character feel real. Bonus: Measure Your Life by What You Create In an age of AI and a tsunami of content, your ultimate brand protection is the quality of your human creation. Barbara Nickless said that the act of producing itself is a balm to the soul, and I believe that with every fibre of my being. Don't be afraid to take that step back, like I did with my deadlifting. Take the time to master these deeper craft skills. It might feel like you're slowing down or going backwards by not chasing the latest marketing trend, but it's the only way to step forward into a sustainable, high-quality career. Your characters are your signature. No AI can replicate the specificity of your lived experience, the emotional truth of your displaced trauma, or the sensory details you've gathered from a life of curiosity and travel. Those are yours. Pour them into your characters, and they will resonate for years to come. Actionable Takeaway: Identify the Dramatic Question for your current protagonist. Can you state it in a single sentence with the kind of specificity Will Storr described? Is it as clear as “Are you ordinary or extraordinary?” or “Are you the only adult in the room?” If you can't answer it with that kind of precision, your character might still be a sketch. Give them a diagonal toast moment today. Find the one hyper-specific detail that proves they are not an imitation of life. And then ask yourself: does your plot test your character's flaw in every major scene? If you can align those two things—a precisely defined character and a plot that exists to test them—you will have a story that readers cannot put down. References and Deep Dives The episodes I've referenced today are all available with full transcripts at TheCreativePenn.com: Episode 732 — Facing Fears, and Writing Unique Characters with Barbara Nickless Episode 673 — Writing Choctaw Characters and Diversity in Fiction with Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer Episode 624 — Writing Characters with Matt Bird Episode 550 — The Heroine's Journey with Gail Carriger Episode 490 — How Character Flaws Shape Story with Will Storr Books mentioned: The Secrets of Character: Writing a Hero Anyone Will Love by Matt Bird The Science of Storytelling by Will Storr The Heroine's Journey by Gail Carriger How to Write a Novel: From Idea to Book by Joanna Penn You can find all my books for authors at CreativePennBooks.com and my fiction and memoir at JFPennBooks.com Happy writing! How was this episode created? This episode was initiated created by NotebookLM based on YouTube videos of the episodes linked above from YouTube/TheCreativePenn, plus my text chapters on character from How to Write a Novel. NotebookLM created a blog post from the material and then I expanded it and fact checked it with Claude.ai 4.6 Opus, and then I used my voice clone at ElevenLabs to narrate it. The post Writing Characters: 15 Actionable Tips For Writing Deep Character first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Ben & Bob speak with Hans Zeigler, President of the Jack Miller Center for Teaching America's Founding Principles & History. We discuss the work that the JMC is doing to promote teaching the founding principles and civics to Americas young people from kindergarten through college. The JMC will be hosting a National Summit on Civil Education in Philadelphia, May 18-19. Click here for details.   Love history and want to go on a cruise? Join Ben and History That Doesn't Suck's Greg Jackson for a 5-day/4-night cruise of the Caribbean that runs from May 18-22! Visit htdscruise.com for details and enter promo code RTN at checkout for $100 off a cabin! And don't forget that Bob's new book America's Founding Son: John Quincy Adams from President to Political Maverickis now available! Click here to get your copy! This episode was edited by Gary Fletcher.

Greg Cote Show: Join Greg on his Caribbean cruise vacation with stops in Tortola, Antigua, Barbados, St. Lucia and Nevis & St. Kitts -- plus Catchphrase #s 30/29 and more on new GCS Episode 314 out now! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CONTACT US TODAY! PATREON: http://www.patreon.com/wttmpodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@windowtothemagic YouTube: http://youtube.com/windowtothemagic Email: podcast@windowtothemagic.com Voicemail: 1-307-GET-WTTM (438-9886)  On this episode, two WTTM cohosts (Brian Babcock & Michel Bouman) meet up for some fun at Disneyland Paris.  Attractions include Blanche-Neige et les Sept Nains® (Snow White), Pirates of the Caribbean and Big Thunder Mountain.  Enjoy!!  91 mins ))HD BINAURAL((

Mara is a Norwegian sailor entered in the 2026 Golden Globe Race. She was doing her 4000nm qualifier for the GGR, sailing from Morocco to St Martin in the Caribbean in her 2001 Saltram Saga 36.  We talk about the journey she was on, her boat, the refit, roller furlers, staysails, solo sailing, livestreaming, sleeping while underway alone, spinnakers, how sailing changes us, her routine, exercise, sailing technique and lessons learned, biminis, whales, safety, tethers and jacklines, a difficult moment, a beautiful moment, what comes after the race, and more. Photos and links are on the podcast shownotes page Support the show through Patreon  

Who really owns your body—and who taught you what consent means, and who gets left out of the conversationIn this episode of Sex on the Table, MoAndra sits down with writer and sexual health educator Lydia Collins to explore informed consent, self-pleasure, and the role self-love plays in reclaiming bodily autonomy.Lydia's work focuses on HIV prevention and decolonial consent education in African, Caribbean, and Black communities. Together, we unpack how culture, history, and systemic inequities shape the way people understand consent, sexuality, and access to sexual health resources.The conversation also dives into the stigma surrounding self-pleasure, how exploring your own body can deepen self-love, and why pleasure can be a powerful part of healing—especially for survivors of trauma.From challenging myths about sex to discussing the realities of sexual health education in marginalized communities, this episode is an honest and thoughtful conversation about reclaiming agency over your body, your pleasure, and your choices.

Go to www.LearningLeader.com  This is brought to you by Insight Global. If you need to hire one person, hire a team of people, or transform your business through Talent or Technical Services, Insight Global's team of 30,000 people around the world has the hustle and grit to deliver. My Guest: Kat Cole is the CEO of AG1 (formerly Athletic Greens) and a renowned business leader known for a meteoric rise from Hooters waitress to Fortune 40 Under 40 executive. As former President/COO of Focus Brands (Cinnabon), she specializes in scaling global brands. Her career is defined by driving billions in sales, strategic innovation, and a strong, people-first leadership style. Key Learnings You can't market your way out of a bad product. AG1 has 3x'd the business in four years while being in only one channel (direct to consumer) for 15 years. 80% of retail is in brick and mortar, so they were doing that volume in less than 20% of where transactions happen. That only works when customers love the product, keep buying it for years, and tell their friends. Scale comes from trusted recommendations, not marketing spend. Real volume comes from people telling their friends, recommending it to their teams and companies. That's where real scale and sustainable growth comes from. Two questions guide every career decision. Is my work done here? Can someone else do what the company needs better than I can? If the answer to either is yes, that guides you toward pushing for change in your role, the way you show up, or finding the next opportunity. Sometimes the best move is the lesser-known role. Kat could have stayed running big franchise brands everyone knew (Cinnabon, Auntie Anne's), but becoming COO of the parent company, Focus Brands, was a bigger, more complex role. Lesser known, smaller team, bigger stretch, more learning. That bridged her into consumer packaged goods and got her ready for AG1. Consider financial needs, learning, and ego separately. Between financial needs, your ability to learn or contribute, and your ego or optics, there are questions you can ask yourself about a particular moment or opportunity that will help you be sharper in what you actually want versus what just looks like what's best next on the surface. The founder heard her on podcasts and asked for an introduction. AG1's founder heard Kat on a couple of podcasts, knew Sahil Bloom, and asked Sahil to make the intro. She just happened to be taking time off and had been a customer for two years. "You're interviewing for your next job every day." Whatever you do now, that choice of time, that tone of voice, that decision, how you show up or don't, creates an impact that leads to an experience and people's actions and then results. Eventually, it leads to the next thing. Showing kindness in the airport matters. A caring note to someone struggling, a teacher or stranger saying, "I see something in you," a compliment when someone's in a dark place. It helps people out of darkness. Or opportunistically, being the one who sent the email or made the ask means you're the one who got the opportunity. Don't burn bridges even when you feel wronged. When Kat was an executive at Hooters at 26, peers in their 50s and 60s would say things in meetings that weren't kind or appropriate. She would write letters expressing how it made her feel, but never sent them. She processed, reflected, and showed up professionally. Years later, those same people became advocates, partners, and references. Four key mindsets for senior leaders. Humility, curiosity, courage, and confidence. By the time candidates get to Kat, they've been vetted on technical capability. She spends time validating those four characteristics because leadership and style trickle far into the organization. Ask "if not for" questions to reveal humility. When someone tells you how they stood tall in tough moments, ask what enabled them to do those great things. They'll say, "I had access to this data, this team, this technical leader." Then ask: "If those people did not exist, if that resource did not exist, how would you have navigated that?" You peel back layers and see if they have the humility to acknowledge their success was due to critical factors. The best candidates do the job in the interview. When someone says, "If we're doing this, we'll absolutely need this person in this specific role," or they have people in mind they're bringing with them, that's a good sign. Hiring leaders who have people who are loyal to them shows something real. In reference checks, ask, "What does this person need to be successful?" It's a positive framing to get at what someone might lack or require around them to be effective. Help people answer "how should I think about this?" In a fully remote company, you have less context and fewer vibes. When you send a note about ending a product line or launching something you said you'd never launch, people's subconscious internal war is "how should I think about this?" Leaders should start communications with "here's how I think about this" or "here's how we should think about this." Sometimes the answer is to shut up and speak last. As teams get stronger, there's more weight on the few things the CEO says. Leave space for other leaders to lead. Kat removed herself from some meetings entirely because she has such great leaders and a strong culture. Pay attention to themes in criticism, not individual attacks. When competitors attack you, ask: Are there patterns? Is there something reflective of industry questions? Sometimes criticisms point to things you already do well but aren't communicating well enough. Comparison ads work short-term but don't build credibility long-term. Challenger brands use the playbook of "we're like the leader, but better/cheaper." Consumers see through it. People tell AG1, "I saw an ad comparing their product to yours, and they're clearly saying you're the leader." The rage bait is brief; the truth is long. Algorithms reward dopamine hits and rage bait. Something untrue or negatively spun can quickly become widely seen because the critique is brief and witty, but the explanation and truth are long. AG1 has more human trials on a single SKU than any other multi-ingredient product ever in the space, but that's harder to say in a sound bite. Don't criticize a car for not taking you to the moon. Someone criticized one of AG1's products for not doing something the product isn't supposed to do. When addressing criticism, clarify what the product is actually designed to do. Her husband will be the fourth person ever to row across three oceans. He's already rowed the Atlantic (set the US record as a pair) and the Caribbean. Now he's training for the Pacific. If he completes it, he'll be only the fourth person to have ever done it in the world.  It's about who you become while striving for the big thing. After her husband got rescued in the Caribbean, he questioned why he was doing this with two kids. But this pursuit is who he is, what drives him, it's inspiring for the kids, and it makes him a better person when he's home. It's about the journey and who you do it with. More Learning 476: Kat Cole - Raise Your Hand, Raise Your Voice 078: Kat Cole - Courage, Confidence, Curiosity, and Humility Reflection Questions Is your work done where you are? Can someone else do what the company needs better than you can? When interviewing someone, ask what enabled them to succeed in a tough moment. Then ask: if that team or resource didn't exist, how would you have done it differently? What communication this week needs context? Start with: here's what this means, what it's not about, and how we should think about it. Audio Timestamps 00:18 Meet Kat Cole  02:42 AG1's Growth Story: $160M to $500M+  03:28 Product-Led Growth Wins  05:57 Kat on Writing and Reflection  07:39 Two Questions for Every Career Move  12:25 How Kat Joined AG1  16:09 You're Always Interviewing  18:47 Neutralizing Opposition at Hooters  24:19 Hiring Great Leaders  27:43 Inside Executive Interviews  31:56 Reference Checks That Reveal Truth  32:52 CEO as the Storyteller  34:16 "How Should I Think About This?"  35:46 Speak Last, Empower Leaders  37:41 Handling Public Criticism  39:59 Separating Signal from Noise  44:49 Staying Focused Through Criticism 48:00 Champagne Question: Family First  48:45 Rowing Three Oceans  51:37 Who You Become on the Journey  56:14 EOPC

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It's time to have an uncomfortable conversation. Are cricket agents helping West Indies cricket? Machel jumps into the CCP studio to ask the uncomfortable questions. As ever please leave a rating, review, comment and follow the Caribbean Cricket Podcast. No other channel keeps it as real as we do on the Caribbean Cricket Podcast. If you'd like to support the Caribbean Cricket Podcast you can become a patron for as little as £2/$2 a month here - https://www.patreon.com/Caribcricket If you would like to read some high quality articles on West Indies cricket - please subscribe to our brand new site - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caribbean Cricket News on CounterPress • West Indies Cricket independent news⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

According to the Jamaica Gleaner, Jamaica is ending its longstanding medical cooperation arrangement with Cuba, a move that is already creating uncertainty, delays, and concern within the health sector. Jamaica's government has said the two sides could not agree on new terms and also pointed to labour and legal concerns in the existing arrangement. At the same time, the broader context is impossible to ignore: this decision comes amid intensified U.S. pressure on Cuba and Washington's campaign against Cuba's overseas medical missions.In my view, this is not happening in a vacuum. The United States has been pushing countries to reconsider or sever ties with Cuba, including in the health sector, while accusing Cuba's medical missions of forced labour—an allegation many Caribbean leaders have rejected. Reuters reported that Jamaica is the latest country to roll back medical cooperation with Cuba under pressure from the Trump administration, and similar disruptions are now being seen elsewhere in the region.Guyana is also facing a similar problem. The Associated Press reported that Cuban doctors are preparing to leave Guyana after disputes over payment arrangements, again in a climate shaped by U.S. pressure and wider efforts to isolate Cuba. AP also noted that Jamaica, Honduras, and several other Caribbean countries have been reconsidering how these programmes are structured.The Caribbean has long depended on Cuban medical personnel to help fill critical shortages, especially in underserved areas. So if Washington's policy helps trigger the collapse of these partnerships, then the United States cannot wash its hands like Pontius Pilate and walk off stage. It has a responsibility to help address the gap its policy has helped create. If the U.S. wants Caribbean governments to end or reduce their medical ties with Cuba, then it should also help provide the doctors, nurses, training, and investment needed to protect healthcare in Jamaica and across the region.Renaldo McKenzie is Author of Neoliberalism Globalization Income Inequality Poverty and Resistance and the upcoming book "Neoliberal Globalization Reconsidered, Unfair Competition and The Death of Nations.

Tonight, a serious escalation in the war with President Trump on social media posting,  "Moments ago, at my direction, the United States Central Command executed one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East, and totally obliterated every MILITARY target in Iran's crown jewel, Kharg Island." Plus, inside Jeffrey Epstein's Little Saint James Island, where he wooed the wealthy and authorities say he abused girls and young women. What's revealed about the Caribbean location in the DOJ's files.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Most people know the drug war from movies. Ken Behr lived it. In this episode of The War Locker Show, Chuck and I sit down with Ken Behr, author of One Step Over the Line: Confessions of a Marijuana Mercenary. Ken walks us through the wild rise of the South Florida smuggling world in the 1970s and 80s — a time when cigarette boats outran the Coast Guard, cocaine moved by the ton, and the line between outlaw and entrepreneur was thinner than anyone wanted to admit. Ken started as a kid moving small bags out of his mom's house. Over the next two decades he found himself working alongside some of the biggest smugglers in the world, moving massive shipments of marijuana and cocaine through the Caribbean pipeline into the United States. Then the system caught up. Facing a mandatory 25-year federal sentence, Ken was offered a choice most people never have to make: stay loyal to the life… or switch sides. He chose the second option. What followed was a journey into the strange and dangerous world of federal investigations, informants, and the people on both sides of the drug war who understood one uncomfortable truth: When the demand exists, someone will supply it. Topics include: • The real history of South Florida smuggling culture• Cigarette boats, Learjets, and high-speed drug runs• How smuggling organizations actually operated• The moment the DEA came calling• What it means to “switch teams” in the middle of a federal investigation• Why prohibition has a way of creating its own criminals War Locker conversations aren't sanitized history. They're stories from people who lived inside the systems most of us only hear about after the headlines fade. Subscribe, share the episode, and remember: Reality doesn't negotiate.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-war-locker-show--6767179/support.Join us for War Locker LIVE — formerly Locker Room Live! Stream (almost) every Thursday at 7:30 PM PST on YouTube, where we dive deep into current events, culture, and the real conversations shaping modern society. Remember: If we release a War Locker Interview, we will be LIVE the same day! Support War Locker and War Locker LIVE by leaving a review and sharing the show! Visit www.warstoriesofficial.com to listen to past episodes, grab exclusive merchandise, become a patron, and follow us on Instagram and Facebook for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and community discussions.

The Katherine Massey Book Club @ The C.O.W.S. hosts the 4th study session on Dr. Colin Anthony Beckles' PanAfrican Sites of Resistance: Black Bookstores and The Struggle To Re-Present Black Identity. This 1995 dissertation is the first time in the illustrious 14 year history of The Katherine Massey Book Club that we will read a non-book. Dr. Beckles conducted an extraordinary amount of research and produced several reports documenting the import of black bookstores and the intense Racism targeting them globally. Having just completed Char Adams' Black-Owned: The Revolutionary Life of the Black Bookstore, Gus concluded that text willfully excluded Dr. Frances Cress Welsing and Neely Fuller Jr. to stress anti-sexual behavior and to practice black misandry. Reading Dr. Beckles' - who is briefly mentioned in Adams' work, dissertation is the corrective to Black-Owned. Last week, we learned intense details about how System of White Supremacy is enforced in all areas of people activity in the United Kingdom. Racist Jokes & songs, denial of employment & just wages, direct violence, and Racist labels for black students like: "educationally subnormal (ESN)." Dr. Beckles highlights the "Windrush Generation," black people born in the Caribbean "colonies," who were welcomed to clean up Britain on the cheap after the Nazis left Europe in ruins. We also learned about one of Gus' all-time favorites, Suspected Race Soldier Enoch Powell and the "Rivers of Blood" speech - which was widely featured during the 2011 London Riots. Black British bookstores formed in direct response to the System of White Supremacy. They also borrowed heavily from Victims of Racism in the US. #BlackPowerDesk #ConnorMcGregor INVEST in The COWS – http://paypal.me/TheCOWS Cash App: https://cash.app/$TheCOWS CALL IN NUMBER: 720.716.7300 CODE 564943#

This weeks show starts off with classics from Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers, Bunny Wailer, Lucky Dube, Edi Fitzroy, Mikey Dread, Sylford Walker, Cornell Campbell & Prince Hammer, Jennifer Lara & Jackie Mittoo, Carlton Livingston, The Black Survivors, Israel Vibration, Nasio Fontaine, The Mediatations,  Carlton Patterson, Ronnie Davis & Little Joe, Barrington Levy, Bob Andy, Henry Simms, Gyptian, Capleton, and Richie Spice. New music this week comes from Benjammin & Roberto Sanchez, The 18th Parallel with Micah Shemaiah & Keith Rowe, Chronixx, Kimeco, Irie Love with Medisun, Elastica Dub with Zion Train, Manwel T, Jesse Royal, Sammy Dread, Eesah, Perfect Giddimani with Yungg Trip, Chezidek, and Dactah Chando. Also this week you will hear dubs from 10 Ft. Ganja Plant, Ticklah, The Easy Star All Stars, Nat Birchall & Al Breadwinner, Mungo's HiFi, The Twinkle Brothers, Mad Professor with Aisha, and Joe Ariwa with General Levy.  Enjoy!  Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers - Tumblin' Down - Conscious Party - Virgin Freddie McGregor w/Dennis Brown & Cocoa Tea - It Could Be Worst - Legit - Shanachie Bunny Wailer - Camouflage - Rule Dance Hall - Shanachie Lucky Dube - Crime & Corruption - The Way It Is - Shanachie Edi Fitzroy - First Class Citizen/ First Class Citizen Dub - Youthman Penitentiary - Alligator Records Summer All Stars - Man In The Street - Summer Records Anthology 1974-1988 - Light In The Attic Mikey Dread - Roots & Culture - The Prime Of Mikey Dread: Massive Dub Cuts From 1978-1992 - Music Club Sylford Walker - Deuteronomy - Run It Red: Mick Hucknall Selects From 10 Years of Blood & Fire Classics - Blood & Fire Cornell Campbell & Prince Hammer - Free Meal Ticket/Bible - Common Ground International 7” Jennifer Lara & Jackie Mittoo w/Sound Dimension - Woman Of The Ghetto/Side Walk Doctor Version - Dub Store Special 7” Carlton Livingston - Call Of The Rastaman - Jah Life 7” The Black Survivors - Every Knee Shall Bow - Jack Ruby Presents: The Black Foundation - Heartbeat Records Jack Ruby - Dub Upright - Black Foundation In Dub - Heartbeat Records Israel Vibration - Strength Of My Life - Strength Of My Life - Ras Records Nasio Fontaine - Prophet - Universal Cry - Greensleeves The Meditations - Babylon Trap Them - Deeper Roots: The Best Of The Mediations - Heartbeat Records Carlton Patterson - Hypocrite - Total Recall Volume 10 - VP Records Ronnie Davis - Tradition - Stand And Give Praise: Roots Reggae - Trojan Records Little Joe - Tradition Skank - If Deejay Was Your Trade: The Dreads At King Tubby's 1974-1977 - Blood & Fire  Barrington Levy - Don't Fuss Nor Fight - Junjo Presents: Big Showdown At King Tubby's - Greensleeves Bob Andy - Set Me Free - High Note 12” Henry Simms - Live In Love/Live In Love Dub - TRS Records 7” Gyptian - Serious Times - The Biggest Reggae One Drop Anthems 2005 - Greensleeves Capleton - Raggy Road - Serious Times: Bobby Digital Productions - VP Records Richie Spice - The Biggest Reggae One Drop Anthems 2005 - Greensleeves Benjammin & Roberto Sanchez - Each One, Teach One - Sons & Daughters - Evidence Music The 18th Parallel feat. Micah Shemaiah - To Be Free/Freedom Dub - All Fruits Ripe - Fruits Records The 18th Parallel feat. Keith Rowe - Love Gets Sweeter - All Fruits Ripe - Fruits Records Future Irie - Never Fail - Evidence Music Chronixx - Keep On Rising - Exile - Forever Living Originals Kimeco - Open Your Eyes - Silver Diamond Productions Irie Love w/ Medisun & Bost & Bim - Love Reggae - The Bombist Buju Banton - Murderer - Til Shiloh - Loose Cannon Penthouse All Stars - Far East Dub - Dub Out Her Blouse & Skirt: Digital Style - VP Records 10 Ft. Ganja Plant - In The Garden - Skycatcher - ROIR Ticklah - Scratch To Win - Tickah Vs. Axelrod - Easy Star Records Easy Star All Stars - Great Dub In The Sky - Dub Side Of The Moon - Easy Star Records Nat Birchall Meets Al Breadwinner - Man From Jones Town - Upright Living - Tradition Disc Mungo's HiFi - Escape From The City - Antidote - Scotch Bonnet Gregory Isaacs - Wah Dee - Hold Tight - Heartbeat Records Mafia & Fluxy - Tribute Version -  Manwel T - Equanimity/Dubanimity - Equanimity - Manwel T Twinkle Brothers - Big Scammer/Big Scammer Version - Twinkle Music 12” Roman Stewart & The Sip A Cup All Roots - Do Right/Right Of Dub - Gussie P Records Aisha & Mad Professor - The Creator/FFWD Into Dub - Ariwa 7” General Levy & Joe Ariwa - Genocide/Dub it On Ya!! - In The Chamber Of Dub - Ariwa Sounds Elastica Dub & Zion Train - Astral Vision - Astral Vision - Dubophonic Records Jesse Royal & Zion I Kings - Give Thanks - Fruits Ripe Riddim - Zion High Productions Micah Shemaiah - Be Brave - Natural Is The Mystic - Jah Solid Rock Music Sammy Dread - Don't Go - Noni Music Eesah & DJ Pamplona - Emergency - Pamplona Beats Perfect Giddimani & Yungg Trip - Waste Man - Giddimani Records Chezidek & Little Lion Sound - More Ganja - Evidence Music Mr. Williamz & Green Lion Crew - Herbsman(RSD Remix)/Herbsman(RSD Dub Mix) - More Spirtual Riddim Deluxe Edition - Green Lion Crew Dactah Chando - Roots - Reset - Achinech Productions JoJo Gladstone - Reggae Music - Creation Rebel Sound System 7” Joe Yorke & The Eastonian Singers - Tonight/Tonight Version - Happy People Records 7”

At least 17 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean are on board with Trump's new military alliance. They are calling it the America's Counter Cartel Coalition. Latin America's top right-wing leaders are involved, including El Salvador's Nayib Bukele and Argentina's Javier Milei. They met in Florida for the event on March 7th.The United States has promised to use lethal force to destroy cartels and narco-traffickers in those nations. Kristi Noem, the former head of Homeland Security, is the new special envoy for the coalition.This is a new phase of Trump's plan for Latin America. Trump's Donroe Doctrine — Monroe 2.0. The first was the offensive against his enemies in the region. Now, Trump is shoring up his allies and building a coalition where the US military can continue to take action in collaboration with countries allied with Trump. We've already begun to see this unfold in Ecuador. This is Episode 8 of Under the Shadow, Season 2.Under the Shadow is an investigative narrative podcast series that walks back in time, telling the story of the past by visiting momentous places in the present. Season 2 responds in real time to the Trump administration's onslaught on Latin America.Follow Under the Shadow on Spotify and Apple PodcastsHosted by Latin America-based journalist Michael Fox.Many thanks to Belly of the Beast for the interview with Liz Oliva Fernandez and the use of the sound from several of their videos.This podcast is produced in partnership between The Real News Network and NACLA.Theme music by Michael Fox's band, Monte Perdido. Monte Perdido's 2024 album Ofrenda is available on Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you listen to music.Other music from Blue Dot Sessions.Guests:Alexander Main from the Center for Economic and Policy ResearchAlexis Ponce Script editing by Heather Gies. Hosted, written, produced, mixed and edited by Michael Fox.Resources: You can read Alex's excellent analysis of the Shield of the Americas summit, here.Please also check out CEPR's Americas Live Update Blog, with all of the latest from the region.You can check out the first season of Under the Shadow by clicking hereThe Beginning: Monroe and migration | Under the Shadow, Episode 1Panama. US Invasion. | Under the Shadow, Episode 13The legacy of Monroe | Under the Shadow, Bonus Episode 4 Please consider supporting this podcast and Michael Fox's reporting on his Patreon account: patreon.com/mfox. There you can also see exclusive pictures, video, and interviews.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-real-news-podcast--2952221/support.Help us continue producing radically independent news and in-depth analysis by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.Follow us on:Bluesky: @therealnews.comFacebook: The Real News NetworkTwitter: @TheRealNewsYouTube: @therealnewsInstagram: @therealnewsnetworkBecome a member and join the Supporters Club for The Real News Podcast today!

The relationship between Jeffrey Epstein, Prince Andrew, and Sarah Ferguson developed over many years and reflected how deeply Epstein had embedded himself within elite social circles. Prince Andrew first became acquainted with Epstein in the late 1990s through mutual contacts that included Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell. Over time the relationship evolved into a regular social connection, with Andrew visiting Epstein's homes in New York, Florida, and the Caribbean and Epstein appearing within Andrew's wider network of friends and acquaintances. The association continued even after Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor, a decision that later became one of the most criticized aspects of Andrew's conduct. The friendship placed the Duke of York squarely within the orbit of Epstein's world at a time when allegations about Epstein's exploitation of young women were already widely known.Sarah Ferguson, Andrew's former wife, was also connected to Epstein through the same social network and reportedly interacted with him on several occasions. Epstein was said to have offered assistance to Ferguson during periods when she faced financial difficulties, including helping to resolve debts that had become a public embarrassment for the duchess. The financial help, combined with social contact within Andrew's circle, tied Ferguson indirectly to Epstein's network even though she has said she was unaware of the extent of his criminal behavior. As the Epstein scandal grew into a global controversy, the longstanding connections among Epstein, Prince Andrew, and Ferguson came under renewed scrutiny, highlighting how Epstein's influence and relationships extended deep into prominent institutions and high-profile social circles.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

This week we dive into the strange, fascinating world of superstitions, starting with a few well-known ones before venturing into some truly bizarre beliefs from around the globe. The episode explores classic superstitions like unlucky black cats, knocking on wood, the taboo of walking under ladders, the bad luck of breaking mirrors, and why you shouldn't open an umbrella indoors. From there, we travel through a collection of unusual cultural superstitions. In parts of South America and Spain, sweeping someone's feet with a broom is said to doom them to a lifetime of being single, while in the Caribbean an itchy palm might signal money coming in or going out depending on which hand it is. Some beliefs are even stranger, like the Irish warning that an itchy nose means a fight is coming, or the Turkish superstition that chewing gum after dark turns it into human flesh. The hosts also chat about customs tied to everyday life and sleep, such as instructions about when to cut your nails, never placing a hat on a bed, reshaping mattresses to prevent the devil from hiding in them!We wrap up with theatrical lore surrounding “The Scottish Curse,” the long-standing belief among actors that saying the name of Shakespeare's Macbeth inside a theater invites disaster! Blending history, folklore, and humor, the episode highlights how superstition has shaped human behavior for centuries and how many of these quirky beliefs still linger today.

What happens when two travel advisors get invited on one of the first sailings of a brand-new cruise ship? In this episode of the Where We Roam Podcast, John and Dayna preview the Norwegian Luna, the newest ship from Norwegian Cruise Line's Prima Plus class, before sailing on board in just a few weeks. We talk about what makes the Luna different from other ships — including the Aqua Coaster, expanded outdoor spaces, new dining concepts like the Indulge Food Hall, and how NCL's Freestyle Cruising compares to other cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line. We also break down what our clients are actually booking for Summer 2026 travel, including: • Alaska cruises • European cruises and river cruises • Caribbean family sailings • All-inclusive resorts in Mexico and Turks & Caicos • New ships like Disney Destiny, Royal Caribbean Star of the Seas, and Norwegian Luna Plus we discuss: Why cruise ships are getting bigger (and sometimes smaller) New private island upgrades at Great Stirrup Cay The best cruise experiences to book for next summer And John's plan to test the bourbon selection on board. If you're planning summer travel in 2026, considering a cruise vacation, or just love hearing about the newest ships and destinations, this episode is packed with inspiration. Subscribe to the Where We Roam Podcast for weekly travel insights, cruise previews, and destination ideas from travel advisors who actually visit the places they recommend.

Buccaneer Henry Morgan (1635–88) was born in Wales. Kidnapped as a child in Bristol, England and shipped to Barbados, he joined the buccaneers, leading many raids against the Spanish and Dutch in the Caribbean and Central America. His most famous exploit was the sacking of Porto Bello (Panama) and the city of Panama in 1671. Check out the YouTube version of this episode at https://youtu.be/g4NYlUzQbIk which has accompanying visuals including maps, charts, timelines, photos, illustrations, and diagrams. Henry Morgan books at https://amzn.to/4ddRppx Books about Pirates available at https://amzn.to/4aMr1ld Pirate mystery novel (Seeking Sasha) at https://amzn.to/4oqp7Ku ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra materials when joining our growing community on https://patreon.com/markvinet SUPPORT this channel by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at NO extra charge to you). Mark Vinet's HISTORICAL JESUS podcast at https://parthenonpodcast.com/historical-jesus Mark's TIMELINE video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVinet Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9 X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MarkVinet_HNA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels Mark's books: https://amzn.to/3k8qrGM Audio credit: LibriVox Historical Tales by C. Morris, read by KalyndaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Back onto the high seas with we, as there be more pirates to see! We continue our foray into the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise with the second film of the series. Davy Jones, lost love, and crab people await us, but does this high seas adventure measure up to its predecessor, or will it sink all the way to Davy Jones’ locker? Find out right here on Zero Credit(s).

Send a textIn this candid and wide-ranging conversation, former Massy Group CEO Gervase Warner reflects on the setbacks, risks, and defining decisions that shaped his journey from a struggling secondary school student to Harvard Business School, McKinsey partner, and one of the Caribbean's most influential business leaders.Warner shares the lesser-known stories behind his path — academic rejection, early professional failures, and the unexpected gap-year experience that strengthened his leadership foundation. He explains why he left a prestigious global consulting career to return to the Caribbean, and how he helped transform Neal & Massy into Massy through culture change, strategic divestment, and purpose-driven leadership.The episode explores:Competing — and succeeding — in elite global institutionsBuilding and leading at McKinseyReturning home to lead during a complex corporate transitionRebranding and reorganising a Caribbean conglomerateConscious capitalism and why focusing on people can drive stronger performanceNavigating public controversy and leadership under scrutinyThe role of self-awareness, discipline, and personal growth in executive leadershipRace, identity, and responsibility in regional leadershipThis is a masterclass in resilience, ambition, and the reality behind corporate leadership at the highest level.A story about failure, growth, and the courage to evolve.

1897 ENTRY OF THE KING OF PERSIAThe following individuals joined the discussion to analyze the current geopolitical and economic landscape: (1)*   Gordon Chang, Columnist and co-host *   Peter Huessy, President of Geostrategic Analysis and Fellow at the National Institute for Deterrent Studies *   Alan Tonelson, Manufacturing and trade expert who blogs at *Reality Check* *   Rebecca Grant, Vice President of the Lexington Institute (2)### Summary of Geopolitical Instability and Global Consequences (3)Global Economic "Tsunami" and Resource Shortages The potential closure or instability of the Strait of Hormuz poses a threat far beyond the price of oil, described by participants as a looming economic "tsunami". Critical shortages are building for products like fertilizer (urea), sulfur, and petroleum products used in high-end manufacturing. Sulfur is particularly vital as it is required to process the copper used in semiconductors and high-end electronics. While the U.S. may be self-sufficient in fertilizer, the heavy technology-dependent economies of East Asia, including Taiwan, face significant risks to their semiconductor production if these supply chains are severed. Recent reports indicate this threat is immediate, with three cargo ships, including a bulk carrier from Bangkok, recently hit by projectiles in the Strait. (4)China as a Hostile Trade Partner and Provocateur China is characterized as a "hostile trade partner" and an "enemy combatant" that wages proxy wars through Russia in Ukraine and Iran in the Middle East. Experts note that Iran's military capabilities are heavily supported by China, which provides supersonic missiles and the semiconductors found in Iranian drones. Furthermore, Iran's nuclear program is described as a subset of the North Korean program, which was historically promoted by China to keep the U.S. pinned down. Domestically, China continues to ignore promises to stop the flow of fentanyl precursors, with participants noting that leader Xi Jinping has now "dishonored" four such promises to U.S. presidents. (5)U.S. Navy Operational Limits The U.S. Navy is currently facing significant strain, described as being "tightly squeezed" regarding its aircraft carrier fleet. The USS Gerald R. Ford has seen its deployment extended to 11 months, performing continuous combat operations in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. Similarly, the USS Nimitz, which was scheduled for decommissioning, has had its service extended to participate in Southern Command exercises. Although these carriers possess "layered defense" systems capable of neutralizing Chinese supersonic missiles and drones, the Navy lacks a sufficient number of ships to maintain these global commitments indefinitely; while law requires 11 carriers, experts argue the current global challenge requires 15. (6)The "Brothers of Mayhem" Alliance The participants argue that China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea act as a coordinated group of "brothers of mayhem". This alliance is not merely fighting over territory or reputation but is engaged in a fundamental contest over "what kind of world we're going to live in". While the West seeks to maintain the status quo and open trade routes, this opposing bloc utilizes economic warfare, proxy conflicts, and the threat of nuclear escalation—such as China's hinted "first-strike" nuclear posture—to challenge Western hegemony. (7)

Warning: This episode contains references to sexual abuseWhat became of the women whose worlds collapsed when the Spanish arrived in Mesoamerica? Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by Mexican author Sofia Robleda to uncover the lives of the women who navigated conquest, faith, and colonial law with resilience and strategy.MORE:The Caribbean, Colonisers & ChristianityListen on AppleListen on SpotifyCortés and the AztecsListen on AppleListen on SpotifyPresented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. The researcher is Max Wintle, audio editor is Tim Arstall and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.Not Just the Tudors is a History Hit podcastSign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pete Hegseth's résumé maps the trajectory of a man who failed upward from Fox News host to Donald Trump's Secretary of Defense. As Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court hearings proved, sexual assault allegations are rarely a roadblock to a powerful job in the Trump administration. In fact, Donald Trump has consistently rewarded Hegseth for years of documented bad behavior—from financial mismanagement of veterans organizations to the relentless promotion of toxic masculinity.Hegseth presents himself as the prototypical "man's man," seemingly more invested in a pull-up challenge with a shirtless Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. than with abiding by the rules of war or the gravity of the Pentagon.This week, Kill the Computer podcaster June Sternbach joins Katelyn and Christine to unpack Pete Hegseth's pathetic masculinity complex. We dissect how mainstream media sanitized his record, and how rewarding his fragile masculinity both reflects and reinforces the darkest corners of U.S. political culture.

Dave is back with a full crew (John, Nastassia, Quinn, and Jack) plus two guests with deep Momofuku roots: chef Paul Carmichael of Kabawa and Dennis Ngo of Di An Di. The conversation ranges from New York ingredient sourcing and Caribbean flavors to the mechanics of great bread and better sandwiches—banh mi rolls vs. po'boy loaves, what makes a steak sandwich fail, and why mayo choices matter more than people admit.Quinn reports on cooking with emu eggs (carbonara, omelets, and what their texture suggests for custards and pasta), while Dave goes deep on soursop, why purées don't compare to fresh fruit, and the necessity of having “a guy” for the good stuff. Dennis talks pho fundamentals—older stewing hens, keeping stock clean, holding aromatics late, and the unglamorous truth of moisture management (“squeeze that meat”). Paul breaks down laminated patties as a Haitian/Jamaican hybrid (dough technique vs. filling focus), plus WD-50-era lessons on why recipes are only guides without reps. Also: LA danger dogs, a surprisingly serious Disney-adjacent meal at Napa Rose, and a parting hot dog tip for NYC. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Trace takes a closer look at one of the boldest maneuvers in pirate cinema: whether a determined crowd could actually flip something the size of an aircraft carrier by running from one side to the other like in the documentary “Pirates of the Caribbean.” Meanwhile, Julian investigates the logistics of purchasing the Sun—who exactly you'd pay for it, what ownership might legally mean, and how tempting it would be to start charging the planet a small recurring fee for access to daylight.LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DWARF 3 SMART TELESCOPEhttps://link.thatsabsurdshow.com/dwarfHere's Trace's photo of the Orion Nebula that made Julian even more jealous than before:https://www.instagram.com/p/DVgdBJ8jW3l/?igsh=MXR2cnp0MWJhcmU0aA==QUESTIONSJulian: "Sun, how much?" from FrandorTrace: "How many people would it take to flip an average aircraft carrier?" from ArtDo you have an absurd question? Maybe it's a silly idea that popped into your head, a shower thought about the nature of reality, or a ridiculous musing about your favorite food? Whatever your question, we want to answer it—tell us!HOW TO ASK A QUESTION

The conversation continues as we push deeper into the realities of blending Caribbean and American family cultures. Love gets complicated when traditions, parenting styles, beliefs, and expectations collide. In this part of the episode, we explore real stories of heartbreak, healing, and resilience—and the beauty that can come from bridging two different worlds.We discuss: • Building blended families that honor both Caribbean roots and American upbringing. • The emotional weight of cultural loss, generational expectations, and family influence. • How couples can create harmony despite differences in communication, values, and lifestyle.This episode unpacks the joyful, messy, and deeply human journey of loving across cultures. Whether you're Caribbean-born, first-gen, or simply navigating multicultural love, this one will hit home.#CaribbeanRelationships #MulticulturalRelationships #CaribbeanDating #DatingInAmerica #DatingExperiences #FirstGenerationCaribbean #CaribbeanFamilies

Anxiety Masterclass tickets here: www.stephaniepinto.com/anxious-masterclassEver stood in the school car park while your child clings to you, pleading they can't go in, and thought… is this ever going to get easier?Or your teen is shutting themselves away in their room, refusing to go to social gatherings or other activities (that you know they'd probably LOVE)?I've been there. My youngest has, too. And yes, even as someone who teaches emotional intelligence and anxiety strategies, I still questioned myself in those moments (a lot).Today I'm sharing our story, from tearful mornings to the small victories that actually matter. I also dive into a few things parents often don't realise about anxiety: why tummies hurt, why constant reassurance can backfire, and the thinking patterns of anxious brains. Plus, a story moment from a Caribbean stage where I realised I'd finally made it past the worst of my own anxiety (spoiler: it felt amazing).This episode is honest, real, and practical. You'll get hope, a few gentle strategies you can start using immediately, and a reminder that anxious kids don't need fixing, they need understanding and the right tools.Anxiety Masterclass tickets here: www.stephaniepinto.com/anxious-masterclass (Come live or get the recording!)If this way of thinking resonates, my book on Amazon goes deeper into these ideas — emotional intelligence as the foundation for calmer, more connected parenting. Think of it as a companion to this conversation.

A new exhibit at Yale’s natural history museum is highlighting a culture with deep ties to many in the state. It’s called “¡Taíno Vive!” or “Taíno lives,” and it’s all about the native people of the Caribbean. Today we celebrate the history and contributions of Taínos. It’s a culture with roots in Puerto Rico, Haiti, Jamaica and other ancestral homes throughout the Caribbean. We’ll learn about legislative efforts to recognize Taínos and examine the ongoing question of identity for Taínos both in the past and today. Guests: Rachel Iacovone: Connecticut Public Puerto Rican Communities Reporter. Stephanie Bailey: Archaeologist and member of AraYeke Yukayek, a New York based Caribbean Indigenous Taíno community. Geraldo Reyes: Democratic state representative representing Waterbury Matunheri Angel Sibakuyali: Representative from Higuayagua Taíno of the Caribbean Victor Piñeiro: Author of "The Island of Forgotten Gods" Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we move between the end of Season 14 and the start of Season 15, we're opening the Seeing Red archives. This week, we're revisiting four cases that took place in the month of March across different years — remembering the victims and reflecting on crimes that continue to leave a lasting impact. These episodes come from earlier in our catalogue, so you may notice a difference in audio quality as our production has evolved over time. We'll be back with our Season 15 premiere on Wednesday 18 March. In March 1998, 23-year-old Amy Lynn Bradley disappeared while on a family cruise in the Caribbean. Despite extensive searches and reported sightings over the years, she has never been found. Her disappearance remains one of the most perplexing missing persons cases linked to cruise travel. In this episode, we revisit the timeline and the enduring search for answers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Secrecy World is the inspiration for the Major Motion Picture The Laundromat from Director Steven Soderbergh, Starring Meryl Streep, Gary Oldman, and Antonio BanderasA two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist takes us inside the world revealed by the Panama Papers, a landscape of illicit money, political corruption, and fraud on a global scale. A hidden circulatory system flows beneath the surface of global finance, carrying trillions of dollars from drug trafficking, tax evasion, bribery, and other illegal enterprises. This network masks the identities of the individuals who benefit from these activities, aided by bankers, lawyers, and auditors who get paid to look the other way. In Secrecy World, the Pulitzer Prize winning investigative reporter Jake Bernstein explores this shadow economy and how it evolved, drawing on millions of leaked documents from the files of the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca―a trove now known as the Panama Papers―as well as other journalistic and government investigations. Bernstein shows how shell companies operate, how they allow the superwealthy and celebrities to escape taxes, and how they provide cover for illicit activities on a massive scale by crime bosses and corrupt politicians across the globe.Bernstein traveled to the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, and within the United States to uncover how these strands fit together―who is involved, how they operate, and the real-world impact. He recounts how Mossack Fonseca was exposed and what lies ahead for the corporations, banks, law firms, individuals, and governments that are implicated.Secrecy World offers a disturbing and sobering view of how the world really works and raises critical questions about financial and legal institutions we may once have trusted.https://amzn.to/3PcWCUIBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-opperman-report--1198501/support.

For a time, Ecuador was one of South America's most attractive expat destinations; low cost of living, a great climate, a dollarized economy and straightforward residency pathways. ….then crime exploded, and Ecuador stopped feeling like a country with expat upside… Until Daniel Noboa stepped in. In today's episode, I break down one of the most important political shifts happening in Latin America right now: Ecuador under President Daniel Noboa. The country is not “fixed,” but the trajectory appears to be shifting… and for investors, expats, and serious Plan-B thinkers, trajectory is what matters most. Enjoy today's episode! IN TODAY'S EPISODE Tune in to learn why Noboa's “internal armed conflict” declaration changed the trajectory of Ecuador's security crisis… and how his approach compares with Bukele's El Salvador model.Is 38 too young to run a country? Hear my take on Ecuador having a President who's so young (even younger than me, believe it or not!)Find out why China remains economically relevant - and what that means for energy, infrastructure, and fiscal recovery inside the countryCould Ecuador realistically re-emerge as a serious expat destination? Hear my thoughts on what needs to happen first.  STAY IN TOUCH! Stay informed about the latest news affecting the expat world and receive a steady stream of my thoughts and opinions on geopolitics by subscribing to our newsletter. You will receive the EMS Pulse® newsletter and the weekly Expat Sunday Times; sign up now and receive my FREE special report, “Plan-B Residencies and Instant Citizenships.”   RELATED EPISODES 394: Panama City's Crypto-Friendly Mayor: The Mayer Mizrachi Story 384: Panama's Adult in the Room: President José Raúl Mulino 365: The Bukele Effect: Inside El Salvador's Radical Transformation Mentioned in this episode:Gold in the Caribbean—No Bank Can Touch ItFiat is failing. Banks are cracking. And smart investors are moving their gold offshore—outside the system. I've partnered with a fully insured private vault in the Caribbean where you can buy, store, and protect physical gold… legally and securely. The entire account opening is done online—fast, private, and no nonsense. If you're serious about protecting your wealth, get the details now at ExpatMoney.com/goldOffshore Gold & SilverNo Plan-B Without the LanguageIf you're planning to move overseas—or even just set up your offshore Plan-B—learning the local language isn't optional. It's protection. It's access. It's power. StoryLearning makes it easy to start today, from home, by immersing you in real stories—not grammar drills. Spanish, Portuguese, French, and more—learn the language the smart way before you land. Go to StoryLearningCourses.com.Story Learning CoursesGold in the Caribbean—No Bank Can Touch ItFiat is failing. Banks are cracking. And smart investors are moving their gold offshore—outside the system. I've partnered with a fully insured private vault in the Caribbean where you can buy, store, and protect physical gold… legally and securely. The entire account opening is done online—fast, private, and no nonsense. If you're serious about protecting your wealth, get the details now at ExpatMoney.com/goldOffshore Gold & SilverNo Plan-B Without the LanguageIf you're planning to move overseas—or even just set up your offshore Plan-B—learning the local language isn't optional. It's protection. It's access. It's power. StoryLearning makes it easy to start today, from home, by immersing you in real stories—not grammar drills. Spanish, Portuguese, French, and more—learn the language the smart way before you land. Go to StoryLearningCourses.com.Story Learning CoursesJoin Me In Panama For Our Next TourI have great news. After many meetings and explanations, the Panamanian government has agreed to keep the Investors Visa at a $300k Real Estate investment instead of nearly doubling the amount required, as they said they would. This is a massive win for our community who wants to move to or invest in Panama, but I am not sure how long this will last… If you have been thinking about Panama, then I want to make an invitation to you today. Come join me for a special four-day tour to see if the country I call home is right for you and your family. We have just released the next set of trip dates. You can find out more at ExpatMoney.com/fly. Come visit me and the Expat Money team, get a feel for the country and see if Panama makes sense for investment or as a new home.Panama Fly'n Buy Real Estate Tour

Artie Ahier developed a fascination with all things polar after reading Endurance at age 13. The harrowing story of Shackleton's Antarctic misadventure so gripped young Artie that he spent his whole life dreaming of one day experiencing that desolate, people-less land. Raised in his family's restaurant in a small New Brunswick town on Canada's Restigouche River, Artie always found happiness in nature on the water. His family didn't travel much, so his original seed of exploring the big world was sown in his best friend's living room reading National Geographic. By a series of happy accidents, Artie made his way into the hospitality business and married a chef. Their life  became one big, glorious adventure. Together, they skippered motor yachts through Florida and the Caribbean, ran hotels and a luxury guest Ranch in the remote Big Bend of Texas and opened an award-winning restaurant on Vancouver Island, where Artie has lived since 2000. Their restaurant, SoBo (Sophisticated Bohemian) was named a Zagat top 100 restaurant in Canada in 2007. For Artie, the theme was always the same, take great care of the guests and show them what natural treasures abound ... whether serving "grassroots gourmet" cuisine or leading bird, bat and nature walks. Artie's life took a hard turn when he woke up at 50 and realized he just wasn't happy. His marriage had run its course and the restaurant business had burned him out. "I have a love of isolation in nature. The ocean and coastline of the world is my mistress," he mused. This pull toward nature and the water brought him back to skippering boats on whale, bear and bird watching tours in British Columbia, as he said goodbye to his marriage and the restaurant world. Then a phone call took him back to his childhood dream - an opportunity to guide nature tours and Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) expeditions in Antarctica. Artie didn't think twice. In 2017, just past fifty, he made his fantasy reality and joined the expedition leadership with renowned expedition cruise company Quark. Artie has been guiding in the pristine waters of the Arctic and Antarctica ever since. He spent over 200 days in the Arctic this past year, reveling as he shares his passion for the outdoors with others, helping them (including your host Stu and his family) better understand his favorite mystical frozen wilderness landscape. Artie is ecstatic to now live a life surrounded by nature on an almost daily basis. When not chasing birds he can be found on his SUP, listening to music and enjoying great food and wine, but not generally at the same time.Have a Swan Dive to share? Text us!We are always looking for Swan Dive Stories to share so hit us up, send an e mail to Ron: Ron@artbikesjax.com or Stu: Stuart@stuartsheldon.com

In this episode of the Live Free Now Show, I sit down with Mike Cobb, a fellow freedom lover and CEO of ECI Development, to talk about international real estate investing, global property trends, and what investors should be watching heading into 2026. Mike has spent nearly three decades developing resort and residential communities across Latin America, and he shares insights on where the big shifts in real estate, capital flows, and lifestyle migration may be heading next. We also talk about success, entrepreneurship, raising a family, and how to build a meaningful life while pursuing ambitious goals. In this conversation we cover: • Real estate and financial trends to watch in 2026 • Why more investors are looking at international property and offshore diversification • The appeal of Costa Rica, Belize, and Latin American real estate markets • Lifestyle advantages of owning property abroad • Building wealth while still prioritizing family, hobbies, and personal fulfillment • What Mike has learned building a global development company over nearly 30 years Mike is someone I personally look up to and consider a mentor, so I'm grateful he spent time sharing his insights with our community. We'll also talk about ECI Development's international projects, including opportunities in Costa Rica and other Central American markets, and some important updates for anyone interested in owning teak as a timber investment. Join the conversation and bring your questions. About Michael Cobb Entrepreneurial CEO Michael K. Cobb has led ECI Development since 1996, growing it into one of Latin America's most respected international resort development companies. The firm has developed thousands of acres of communities across Belize, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and beyond, and Cobb has been named one of the “100 Outstanding CEOs in Central America and the Caribbean.” SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS Zano - Privacy Coin with Tokens! Zano is a powerful privacy coin built for real-world use. It allows users to create and transact with private tokens, including stablecoins like Freedom Dollar, a privacy-focused stablecoin pegged to the value of the dollar. You can even bridge transparent Bitcoin into the Zano blockchain and use it privately. Learn more here: https://zano.org/ Wise Wolf Gold and Silver Precious metals in your mailbox = Peace of mind Wise Wolf Gold and Silver's Wolf Pack program ships physical gold & silver monthly with auto-subscriptions. Code livefree gets you free junk silver with your first order! https://livefree.academy/wolfpack

Swashbuckler Captain Morgan (1635–88) was born in Wales. Kidnapped as a child in Bristol, England and shipped to Barbados, he joined the infamous roguish buccaneers, leading many raids against the Spanish and Dutch in the Caribbean and Central America. His most famous exploit was the sacking of Porto Bello (Panama) and the city of Panama in 1671 during the Golden Age of Piracy & Buccaneers (1655-1725), which was a significant factor in the history of the North Atlantic, North American coastline, and the Caribbean. Check out the YouTube version of this episode at https://youtu.be/ZHeQfQRp2EE which has accompanying visuals including maps, charts, timelines, photos, illustrations, and diagrams. Henry Morgan books at https://amzn.to/4ddRppx Books about Pirates available at https://amzn.to/4aMr1ld Pirate mystery novel (Seeking Sasha) at https://amzn.to/4oqp7Ku ENJOY Ad-Free content, Bonus episodes, and Extra materials when joining our growing community on https://patreon.com/markvinet SUPPORT this channel by purchasing any product on Amazon using this FREE entry LINK https://amzn.to/3POlrUD (Amazon gives us credit at NO extra charge to you). Mark Vinet's HISTORICAL JESUS podcast at https://parthenonpodcast.com/historical-jesus Mark's TIMELINE video channel: https://youtube.com/c/TIMELINE_MarkVinet Website: https://markvinet.com/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.vinet.9 X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MarkVinet_HNA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denarynovels Mark's books: https://amzn.to/3k8qrGM Audio credit: LibriVox Historical Tales by C. Morris, read by KalyndaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Whiskey@Work, the guys pour a few glasses and wander through the story behind one of the most recognizable names in Scotch. The conversation starts with the surprisingly scrappy origins of Johnnie Walker, a grocery store kid who blended tea before blending whisky, and the clever ideas that turned his family brand into a global icon.Then things get interesting on the tasting table. Matt D'Hont from Johnson Brothers and Diageo stops by with a lineup that sparks plenty of reactions. The crew explores the brand-new Johnnie Walker Black Cask, a bourbon-barrel take on a classic blend designed to welcome bourbon drinkers into the Scotch world.From there, the night drifts into smoky territory with Lagavulin 11, a sweet-peat Islay that surprises even the skeptics. A Caribbean rum-finished Crown Royal sneaks into the lineup, and the episode wraps with an unexpected palate cleanser that nobody saw coming.Stories, history, a few strong opinions, and several pours later, one thing becomes clear. The best part of whiskey often happens around the conversation that comes with it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From a dream vacation aboard a Caribbean cruise to a disappearance that has spanned decades, Natalie and Paige unpack Amy Bradley Is Missing, examining the sightings, theories, and haunting questions that still surround her case. They explore the timelines, contradictions, and emotional toll on the Bradley family, and discuss how hope, uncertainty, and media attention have kept this mystery alive for years. To join in on next week's conversation, we're watching The Man with 1,000 Kids on Netflix. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Supporters of the Iranian regime have taken to the streets to celebrate the selection of the country's new spiritual leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. He will replace his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US-Israeli strikes on the first day of the war. Shortly after the announcement, Iran launched a fresh wave of missile and drone strikes at targets in Israel and across the Middle East. The price of crude oil has surged above $110 a barrel - a four-year high - as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed because of the war. In other news, the left-wing coalition of the Colombian President, Gustavo Petro, is projected to have won the most votes in Senate elections - but will not gain a majority. And scientists in the Caribbean say they've discovered previously unknown sea creatures.The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

Grab a beer and join us tonight as we cover the folklore of Trinidad! We're diving into six figures from one of the most culturally mixed islands in the Caribbean — the Soucouyant, a skin-shedding vampire who flies through the night as a ball of fire; the Douens, faceless spirits of unbaptized children with backwards feet; La Diablesse, a beautiful woman with a cow's hoof hidden under her dress who lures men into the forest; Gang Gang Sara, a woman who flew across the Atlantic from Africa and lost her power; the Duppy Baby, a roadside spirit that grows heavier the longer you hold it; and the silk cotton tree that connects all of them. West African tradition, French Catholic structure, and centuries of survival all compressed into the stories people in Trinidad still tell their kids today. https://www.necrnomipod.com https://www.patreon.com/necronomipod Sponsored by BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com/necro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

March 7, 2026Trump switches to a demand for unconditional surrender by Iran, Americans continue to be stranded in the Middle East as war spreads through the region, Violence appears to be the point in Iran war, Hegseth warns representatives from Latin American and Caribbean countries to act more aggressively against drug cartels, Trump suggests he has his sights on Cuba, Billionaires turn a blind eye on Trump's actions, Sheldon Whitehouse suggests connections between policies that help Russia and Trump's friendship with Epstein, The coverup at the DOJ is shielding Trump, Russia -provides information Iran needs to attack US forces.Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ-Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribeYou can also find me:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe

SHOW SCHEDULE 3-5-20161895 CARACASRussia Leverages Middle East Conflict to Pressure European Energy Markets Anatol Lieven analyzes how the Middle East conflict strengthens Russia's leverage over Europe while potentially causing internal Iranian anarchy and a massive refugee crisis. (1)Drone Strikes on Energy Infrastructure Threaten European Gas Supply Stability Lieven explores threats to European energy from strikes on the Baku pipeline and proposes sanctions relief to incentivize Russia toward a Ukrainian peace settlement. (2)Constitutional Debates Over Presidential Authority and the War Powers Act John Yu discusses the War Powers Resolution's history and argues that presidents possess inherent constitutional authority to use force abroad without prior congressional consent. (3)Judicial Limits and Political Checks on Presidential War-Making Power John Yu argues that elections, rather than courts or the War Powers Resolution, serve as the primary constitutional check on a president's use of force. (4)Cuba Faces Total Grid Failure Amid Severe National Oil Shortages Evan Ellis describes Cuba's widespread blackouts caused by aging infrastructure and lack of fuel, while the US facilitates humanitarian oil shipments to private entities. (5)Venezuelan Leadership Slow-Rolls Political Transition Despite Economic Openings Evan Ellis details how the Rodriguez administration benefits from eased oil sanctions and mining interests while maintaining repressive control and delaying meaningful democratic transitions. (6)Chinese Influence and Strategic Integration in the Caribbean and Peru Evan Ellis examines China's deep strategic presence in Caribbean infrastructure and the upcoming Peruvian elections, where conservative candidates currently lead in the polls. (7)Regional Security and Trade Shifts in Ecuador, Mercosur, and Argentina Evan Ellis reports on joint US-Ecuadorian military operations against narco-terrorists, the Mercosur-EU trade deal, and Javier Milei's ongoing economic and legal reforms in Argentina. (8)SEG 9 George Downing and the Puritan Vision Dennis Su introduces George Downing, a Harvard graduate who bridged the New England colonies and the English Civil War as a key Puritan figure. (1)SEG 10 Harvard Scholar Turned New Model Army Preacher After excelling at Harvard, Downing traveled to England, becoming a chaplain for Cromwell's New Model Army while exhibiting ruthless traits regarding Caribbean slavery. (2)SEG 11 Cromwell's Spy and the Edinburgh Intrigue Dennis Su explains how George Downing used intelligence and rhetoric to infiltrate the Scottish government, acting as a crucial spy for Oliver Cromwell in 1650. (3)SEG 12 Scoutmaster General and the Birth of Downing Street Downing rose to Scoutmaster General, overseeing Scotland's administration while building a massive fortune through seized properties and the trade of war prisoners. (4)SEG 13 Artificial Intelligence Joins the Battlefront in Iran Experts debate the ethical and strategic implications of using Claude AI for targeting and simulations in the Iran conflict, highlighting concerns over accountability and command. (5)SEG 14 The Fragile Alliance and European War Hesitation The panel discusses why European allies hesitate to join the US in Iran, citing domestic unrest and a significant technological gap between military forces. (6)SEG 15 Bill Casey and the Traitorous October Surprise Craig Unger describes how Bill Casey allegedly hijacked American foreign policy by negotiating with Iran to delay hostage releases, ensuring a Ronald Reagan electoral victory. (7)SEG 16 Uncovering Receipts of Treason in Tehran Unger details his 2014 trip to Tehran, where he obtained receipts and witness testimony regarding illegal arms deals that supported the 1980 October Surprise conspiracy. (8)

Our card this week is Kenneth "Kenny" Floyd, a Wild Card from Colorado. When Kenneth “Kenny” Floyd was found dead inside his apartment in Aurora, Colorado, in 1995, detectives found a clue they hoped would lead right to his killer — a trail of their suspect's blood leading from Kenny's door to the front of his building. That blood evidence allowed investigators to develop a DNA profile that they traced to one particular island in the Caribbean, bringing them closer than ever to finding answers for Kenny's close-knit family. But a series of volcanic eruptions on the island destroyed the very records investigators needed to ID Kenny's killer. Still, the genealogist working on Kenny's case is hopeful that if more people with ancestry from that island, or the East Coast of the United States, upload their DNA profiles to GEDMatch and select the option to opt-in for law enforcement, she'll be able to fill in the rest of the suspect's family tree….and if she can do that, investigators might be able to finally close this case.  If you have any information on the murder of Kenny Floyd, please contact Aurora Police Department Cold Case Detective Jason McDonald at 303-739-6013 or jamcdona@auroragov.org. You can also submit an anonymous tip to the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers by calling 720-913-7867.  If you have any family from the island of Montserrat or the East Coast of the United States, please consider uploading your DNA profile to GEDMatch and selecting the option to opt-in for law enforcement. If anyone you know might have ancestry connected to that island or the eastern U.S., please tell them about Kenny's case and encourage them to upload their DNA and opt-in as well.  View source material and photos for this episode at: thedeckpodcast.com/kenneth-kenny-floyd Let us deal you in… follow The Deck on social media. Instagram: @thedeckpodcast | @audiochuck Twitter: @thedeckpodcast_ | @audiochuck Facebook: /TheDeckPodcast | /audiochuckllc To support Season of Justice and learn more, please visit seasonofjustice.org. The Deck is hosted by Ashley Flowers.  Instagram: @ashleyflowers TikTok: @ashleyflowerscrimejunkie Twitter: @Ash_Flowers Facebook: /AshleyFlowers.AF Text Ashley at 317-733-7485 to talk all things true crime, get behind the scenes updates, and more! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.