Podcasts about Casual

Send us a textIt's nearly here, FC 26 is right aroudn the corner and we go through the launch pitch notes and try and determine the best strategies for the Web App, and then Ultimate edition launch to get a competitive team quickly.Support the show

Send us a textYour most loyal listeners aren't just tuning in, they're fueling your podcast's growth, engagement, and revenue! In this episode, we unpack what makes a superfan and why cultivating just 1–2% of your audience can make a bigger impact than chasing thousands of casual downloads.We cover the listener spectrum from casual listeners to community members to superfans, the psychology behind deep connections, and practical strategies you can use to turn passive listeners into advocates for your show. From setting boundaries and personalizing interactions, to creating memorable moments and building community spaces, we share the tools that will help you move beyond downloads and build real, lasting fan relationships!Mentioned in this episode:The Technium: 1,000 True FansAmie McNee: I went on one of the biggest podcasts in the worldPat Flynn's book: SuperfansContact Buzzcast Send us a text message Tweet us at @buzzcastpodcast, @albanbrooke, @kfinn, and @JordanPods Thanks for listening and Keep Podcasting!

You've been playing rounds with your friends just for fun, but you've improved, and now you want to try your hand at a serious round of golf. What do you need to know? In this episode, Mark, Lou, and Greg offer their advice to a golfer planning to start playing in more serious competitions. From rules advice (both official and unwritten) to music(?) to mindset, this will help any golfer post better results. To get the best discount off your NordVPN plan - go to ⁠⁠⁠nordvpn.com/hackitout⁠⁠⁠. Our link will also give you 4 extra months on the 2-year plan. There's no risk with Nord's 30-day money-back guarantee! Where to find us: Mark Crossfield's weekly newsletter: https://www.crossfieldgolf.com/subscribe Mark Crossfield on Twitter: https://twitter.com/4golfonline Mark Crossfield on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/4golfonline Lou Stagner's weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.loustagnergolf.com/subscribe Lou Stagner on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LouStagner Greg Chalmers on Twitter: https://twitter.com/GregChalmersPGA The Hack It Out Golf Podcast on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HackItOutGolf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lime Fresh Mexican Grill CEO Patrick Fore joins Fast Casual Nation hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler to discuss the brand's dramatic transformation, including a 30% menu overhaul, innovative partnerships with artisanal brands like Tabanero hot sauce, and ambitious franchise expansion plans targeting 50 units over two years. Fore reveals how the 21-year-old concept is winning Gen Z customers through strategic scarcity, reintroduced hospitality roles, and their successful Florida Panthers partnership that's driving major growth in non-traditional venues.#FastCasualNation #LimeFresh #RestaurantFranchiseGet Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights.Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory

SUPPORT ME ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/c/taylorlorenzBuy a subscription to my Tech and Online Culture newsletter, User Magazine to support my work!!!!

The world famour patron Rusty Trombjones joins us for all things MTG community on this week's CCO 507 - the third of four CCO Crapshoot special episodes with our awesome Patreon supporters.Huge thank you to our sponsors, Fusion Gaming Online. They're your source for all of your gaming needs. You can find them here: www.FusionGamingOnline.com. You want a 5% discount off all of your MTG order? Head over to Fusion Gaming Online and use exclusive promo code: CCONATION at checkout.Want your deck or topic featured on Commander Cookout Podcast?Check out the reward tiers at Patreon.com/CCOPodcast. There are a lot of fun and unique benefits to pledging. Like the CCO Discord or getting your deck featured on the show.Ryan's solo podcast, Commander ad Populum:https://www.spreaker.com/show/commander-ad-populumInterested in MTG/Commander History? Check out Commander History Podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mtg-commander-history--6128728You can listen to CCO Podcast anywhere better podcasts are found as well as on CommanderCookout.com.Now, Hit our Theme Song!Social media:https://www.CommanderCookout.comhttps://www.Instagram.com/CommanderCookouthttps://www.Facebook.com/CCOPodcast@CCOPodcast and @CCOBrando on Twitterhttps://www.Patreon.com/CCOPodcasthttps://ko-fi.com/commandercookout

This week I'm joined by Magic's Loremaster Jay Annelli to discuss all things Vorthos!  Casual Magic is brought to you by Archidekt and Quiver and by my patrons at patreon.com/shivamb. Thank you for your support!

With its turquoise waters, white sand beaches and laid-back island vibes, this Caribbean paradise is a dream destination. But before you jet off, you'll want to know exactly what to pack and what to wear in the Bahamas to stay cool, stylish and comfortable from sunrise to sunset. Bahamas Style: The Ultimate Style Guide for Men and Women Planning a getaway to the Bahamas? Great choice.No matter what you love to do on vacation (lounging, exploring or dining), here's your complete packing and style guide for Bahamas life.General Packing Tips for the BahamasChoose breathable fabrics: Lightweight cotton, linen and rayon are best for the tropical climate.Go for island colors: Whites, brights, pastels and tropical prints will always fit the vibe.Shoes to pack: Sandals, espadrilles or light sneakers by day; dressier sandals or loafers by night.Sun protection: Don't forget sunglasses, a wide-brim hat and reef-safe sunscreen.Daytime Outfit Ideas for BahamasWomen's Daytime OutfitsSwimwear: Pack at least three swimsuits or bikinis for variety.Cover-ups: Flowy kaftans, sarongs or lightweight maxi dresses for walking to and from the beach.Casual wear: Sundresses, linen shorts with breezy tops, or wide-leg pants with tank tops.Shoes: Flip-flops or flat sandals that can handle sand and water.Men's Daytime OutfitsSwimwear: Quick-dry swim trunks in bright prints or solid colors.Casual wear: Linen button-downs, cotton polos, or lightweight tees paired with shorts.Shoes: Flip-flops, slides or casual slip-ons for exploring towns and markets.Evening and Dining Outfits, Bahamas Style When the sun sets, the Bahamas shifts to a more refined yet relaxed style. Most resorts and restaurants lean toward smart casual in the evenings. So be sure to consider what you pack.Women's Evening OutfitsDinner looks: Maxi or midi dresses, jumpsuits or skirts with silk tops.Accessories: Tropical-inspired jewelry to dress things up.Shoes: Wedge sandals or embellished flats—leave the stilettos at home.Layering piece: A lightweight wrap or cardigan for breezy evenings.Men's Evening OutfitsDinner looks: Linen pants or chinos with a button-down or polo shirt.Shoes: Loafers, dress sandals or even espadrilles (if that's your thing).Optional upgrade: A linen blazer if you want to polish your look for upscale dining.Outfits for Excursions & ActivitiesFrom boat trips to cultural tours, you'll want comfortable clothing for adventure days.For Women: Sporty sundresses, shorts with tanks, or activewear with sneakers.For Men: Athletic shorts, breathable tees, and sneakers or sandals with grip.Accessories: Small daypack, reusable water bottle, and a wide-brimmed hat.Bahamas Travel Essentials to PackSnorkel gear or water shoes for reef adventuresBug repellent for tropical eveningsWaterproof bag to protect valuables on boat tripsAfter-sun lotion to soothe sun-kissed skinFinal Word: Bahamas Island Style Made SimpleWhat you wear in the Bahamas should combine comfort with effortless style. When in doubt, consider light fabrics, tropical colors and versatile outfits that transition easily from beach days to casual nights. By packing smart and choosing pieces you can mix and match, you'll be ready for every unforgettable moment of your island escape.Shop at 1923 Main Street, Graphic T-Shirts, Sweatshirts and Hoodies for Those Who Love to TravelThank you for listening to the Travel Style Podcast at 1923MainStreet.com.Shop unique and original travel inspired and subtle Disney travel clothing, including t-shirts, sweatshirt, hoodies and more at 1923 Main Street.Follow along on X, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.Thank you for listening and always remember to roam freely and wear boldly.Mike Belobradic and Amelia Belobradic--Media provided by Jamendo

Send us a textIn our first ever live podcast, we spend some time looking back on the good, the bad, and the Weghorst of FC 25.  We also have a chance to hear about Bully's experience representing England (well, Great Britain) in Paris at the weekend and get the chat's take on the best and the most disappointing cards from FC 25.Support the show

¿Quieres saber qué aventuras le esperaron a Joan en Dublín? No te imaginas cómo es un día en su vida. ¡Ahora tienes la oportunidad! Escucha el podcast y únete a nuestro club... ¡que ahora te puedes unir y tener una conversaicón con nosotros varias veces al mes! https://www.patreon.com/quepasa

Show LinksSelf-Paced ResourcesSubscribe To The Daily Podcast. https://yourlevelfitness.com/podcastNew To The YLF Philosophy? Start Here. ylf30.comDaily Accountability And Structure For Your Self-Paced Inside/Out Process. https://yourlevelfitness.com/daily-emailQ&A Response YouTube Playlist. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjSupgaY5KA66MD2IdmCwFhLFbDe-pk1lIndividualized Guidance From DarylJoin The YLF Experience. https://app.moonclerk.com/pay/5t93iox9udm3Compare All Service Levels. https://yourlevelfitness.com/coachingGet Your Merch, Mugs & Wall QuotesShop The Current Collections. https://yourlevelfitness.shop/collectionsEpisode DescriptionIn this Almost Daily episode I unpack why I stepped away from interviewing guests for a while and where I want to take it next. When I first started this show I avoided interviews for months because I was nervous about interrupting and talking over people. Conversations with Gary Cantrell encouraged me to try, and from there I did hundreds of interviews, plus plenty of appearances and co hosting. Over time the vibe around guest episodes shifted. Casual story sharing turned into everyone needing to be an expert. Clips were cut for hot takes and quick views, which stripped the nuance that makes long form conversations valuable.I also ran into the pressure of release schedules. Hitting a weekly cadence can make you chase a content cushion instead of being fully present with the person in front of you. Get too far ahead and it feels rigid. Fall behind and episodes slip, then a show suddenly becomes seasonal by accident. At the same time I have been tearing down and rebuilding Your Level Fitness. That work has taken a lot of focus, which meant fewer interviews even though I still love the format.Podcasting still works. In a noisy scroll first world, you can press play and live your life while listening. I will be bringing interviews back with a few focused series. Some will be fitness. Some will be mental health. Some will be open conversations with curious people who want to explore ideas without chasing shock value. If you have thoughts or want to share your story, email me at daryl@yourlevelfitness.com. That is D A R Y L at yourlevelfitness.com. All YLF links are in the show notes. Thanks for listening. I appreciate you.Please share this episode with anyone you think would be interested in listening to it.Visit darylperrypodcast.com for links to the show page on each of the major podcast directories. From there, you can subscribe and share this pod.For comments, questions, topic ideas, possible collaborations please email daryl@yourlevelfitness.com

There's a Silksong in the air, with lots of SIlksong. But despite the Silksong, we have other non-Silksong stuff, including Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage closed beta kicking off on September 11. The news includes: Hollow Knight: Silksong causes server chaos on Xbox, Steam, and Nintendo as platforms grind to a halt 42,000 Pokémon […] The post Episode 762: Silksong Silksong first appeared on .

The first time you see Tommy Emmanuel perform, it might seem like watching a magic trick. You're joking — where's the bass player and drummer – hiding backstage?

You wanna sound more natural in English? I'm on it. You want me to teach that kind of lesson? Yeah, will do. You need my help to speak better? Gotcha. Today, that's what we're all about here!In real conversation, we use more relaxed, casual phrases — and they're often shorter and more natural-sounding.  So today, I want to show you some of those everyday expressions that native speakers use instead of formal grammar. You'll sound more fluent — and you'll feel more confident, too.Join my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/plsgVisit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/My AI English Tutor is here

Jeff Gigante, founder of Next Level Brands, joins Restaurant Masterminds to share how his Tampa-based restaurant group generates nearly $40 million with just three locations through "laid-back luxury" hospitality. Learn his strategies for employee retention (4.5 weeks vacation for all leaders), community integration, technology adoption challenges, and expansion plans for 20+ restaurants. Discover how treating culture as CapEx investment and authentic community engagement drives exceptional performance in upscale casual dining.~This episode is sponsored by: Gusto → https://gusto.pxf.io/PBN ~#1 rated HR platform for payroll, benefits, and moreWith Gusto's easy-to-use platform, you can empower your people and push your business forward. See why over 400,000 businesses choose Gusto.#RestaurantBusiness #HospitalityLeadership #CasualDiningGet Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/ Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights.Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory

Episode #407 Although we didn't have a predetermined topic, this week's show manages to cover a lot of ground. We enjoy this format as it allows us to share similar Facebook highlights and breaking Walt Disney World news. Casual, spontaneous, unscripted, unpredictable, and random stories all this week on the show. www.thedisneycrush.com thedisneycrush@gmail.com www.patreon.com/thedisneycrush  

Casual cultural conversations: The Dangerous Life Team is back, but in a new format! Nate Williams and friends talk about Sydney Sweeney's ad campaign and the Coldplay affair fiasco.Contributors: Nate Williams, Zeke and Chloe Adams, Blake Tetro, and Spencer Smith

Kansas City's Longboards Wraps and Bowls joins Fast Casual Nation hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler to share their incredible growth story from startup to 8 locations and 130 employees. Founder Gilbert Macapagal discusses his Filipino-inspired menu, innovative Shaka Pop beverage line, and authentic brand approach that's resonating with suburban markets. The team reveals their franchise expansion plans, digital strategy generating 45-55% of sales, and commitment to promoting from within while maintaining their laid-back surf culture identity.#FastCasualNation #LongboardsWraps #KansasCityEatsGet Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights.Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory

The rise of the machines is upon us. Music: Butch Walker - Maybe It's Just Me Exec. Produced by Cyrus Poe

Every Wednesday, Jake & Ben compete in Two 5-selection drafts - One sports-related & one not sports-related. This week on What You Got Wednesday:  Best NFL Studio Analysts & Best Chain Casual Restaurants.  Vote for your winner @JakeAndBenKSL on X. 

Special Patreon guest 2 of 4 joins us as we continue our mini-series of Commander Cookout community crapshooting! Today, MAC from Commander History Podcast talks about why he thinks red is the best color in EDH. News flash, Brando agrees! Come hear all about it and help keep the CCO Celebration going!Huge thank you to our sponsors, Fusion Gaming Online. They're your source for all of your gaming needs. You can find them here: www.FusionGamingOnline.com. You want a 5% discount off all of your MTG order? Head over to Fusion Gaming Online and use exclusive promo code: CCONATION at checkout.Want your deck or topic featured on Commander Cookout Podcast?Check out the reward tiers at Patreon.com/CCOPodcast. There are a lot of fun and unique benefits to pledging. Like the CCO Discord or getting your deck featured on the show.Ryan's solo podcast, Commander ad Populum:https://www.spreaker.com/show/commander-ad-populumInterested in MTG/Commander History? Check out Commander History Podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mtg-commander-history--6128728You can listen to CCO Podcast anywhere better podcasts are found as well as on CommanderCookout.com.Now, Hit our Theme Song!Social media:https://www.CommanderCookout.comhttps://www.Instagram.com/CommanderCookouthttps://www.Facebook.com/CCOPodcast@CCOPodcast and @CCOBrando on Twitterhttps://www.Patreon.com/CCOPodcasthttps://ko-fi.com/commandercookout

This week I'm joined by The Other Tracy, indie RPG designer and cohost of the bracket one EDH show, The Exhibitionists! Bugs Maytrix turned me on to them, and it was a great conversation! Casual Magic is brought to you by Archidekt and Quiver and by my patrons at patreon.com/shivamb. Thank you for your support!

Karrion Kross is one of WWE's most intense and mysterious superstars, known for his mind games, brutal in-ring style, and partnership with Scarlett. In this interview, he opens up about his journey, creative vision, and what truly drives his dominance in the squared circle. In the newest "Casual Conversations with The Classic'' episode, the Wrestling Classic Justin catches up with Killer Kross aka Karrion Kross! They discuss his documentary, new book, WWE contract negotiations, Cartoons, Matt Cardona and much more! Enjoy! Social Handles Karrion Kross - @realkillerkross (IG & X)My Official Website + Demo Reel - https://www.justindhillon.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thewrestlingclassic/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thewrestlingclassic X - https://x.com/twcworldwide Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@TheWrestlingClassic/  Limited Edition TWC Tee https://headquartersclothing.com/products/headquarters-x-the-wrestling-classic-logo-tee?_pos=1&_psq=wrestlinhg&_ss=e&_v=1.0 WWE Shop Affiliate wwe-shop.sjv.io/RGRxQv 500 Level https://www.500level.com/ Join the Discord Community https://linktr.ee/thewrestlingclassic All Episodes are on "The Wrestling Classic" Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOQOYraeFlX-xd8f3adQtTw#KarrionKross #KillerKross #WWE Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/twc-show--4417554/support.

Endlich ist Tiny Bookshop erschienen. Für mich als Büchernerd ist dies einfach DAS Spiel, auf das ich gewartet hatte. Als Cozy Game leiten wir einen kleinen Bücherladen in Form eines Anhängers, den wir selber dekorieren können. Wir sind dadurch flexibel und platzieren in an den unterschiedlichsten Orten im niedlichen Küstenort Bookstonbury. Wir müssen den Wagen mit unterschiedlichen Büchern aus verschiedenen Genres bestücken. Jeden Tag kommen die Bewohner zum Einkaufen, dabei lernen wir auch die Bewohner und ihre Geschichten kennen. Für einige sollen wir Aufgaben erledigen. Manche Käufer fragen auch nach Empfehlungen, dabei kann man sein reales Bücherwissen unter Beweis stellen, denn die meisten Bücher existieren wirklich. Das ganze Spiel ist einfach Entspannung pur, der Look, die Musik, das entschleunigte Gameplay. Vor allem Bücherfreunde kommen hier auf ihre Kosten.

Thanks for making time to listen to this podcast English lesson. I'm so happy that you've made up your mind to improve your English. And yeah, everyone's really busy these days, but somehow, you make it work. That's awesome!Today, we're gonna break down five super useful and natural phrases: Make it work, Make time, Make up your mind, Make a mess, and Make do And I'll give you a few examples for each — all woven into real-life situations so you can see how native speakers actually use them. My AI English Tutor is hereJoin my Podcast Learner's Study Group here: https://learn.myhappyenglish.com/plsgVisit my website for over 3,000 free English lessons: https://www.myhappyenglish.com/

Halloween Horror Nights Orlando is quietly reshaping its playbook. This year, Universal pushed queues outside the park, massively expanded the backstage infrastructure and food offerings, and layered in new entertainment to complement returning classics. From two full shows to new roaming characters, scare zone “boo boxes”, and stage moments like The Cat Lady on Crooked Lane, there's entertainment blanketing most of the park. The result: more space for guests, more reasons to linger, and an event that increasingly sells itself as a multi-night festival, not a haunted house event. This week, we discuss what these moves signal: is HHN expanding capacity by design, or evolving into a broader festival model to attract families and casual fans? And as the event leans on IP like WWE, Fallout, and FNAF—plus $20 no-scare necklaces—does this strategy future-proof the brand or risk diluting its horror core? Listen to weekly BONUS episodes on our Patreon

Thanks to everyone who tuned in! Free or paid subscribers? Join me for my next live video in the app. Gonna be a Trigger Warnings kinda take on old men with their fingers on THE Button. This week…Here's my speaking script from this live performance. Close to a transcript, but I changed a few lines on the fly… some even on purpose.Today I'm talking family, friends, love… not known as autistic “superpowers.” So let's start with a quick blow up of the whole fucking superpower thing.1. After the SecretI have strengths.Not one is my superpower.I have challenges.Not one is my kryptonite.I'm that kid in third gradeDropdropdroppingA mysterious blue crystalInto that test tube—Squealing in delightEvery time it explodes…In purple streams.I love cosplay.But I don't have to flyWear a maskOr sport a capeTo be autistic.Still…I get to be the heroor bald evil geniusof my own life.2. ShamelessFamily is freaking complex. For me? More disappointment, failure to meet expectations. Not being the son… or brother… the family ordered.Live long enoughYa get a lot right,Get a lot wrong.Get to knowWell enoughYa can't be a saintLurking in shadow…Living life perfectlyShameless.Shameless.Oh let me beShameless…No sun setsOn a painless life,So no moon shinesOn a stainless wife.Oh let me be… comeShameless.Scaling Mount MarcyThat night as Elvis died,Got branded a MountebankAs my sister grew colder.Stalking Death ValleySame sister… now dead… to meSame stars… chill my shouldersNow living life perfectlyShameless…Shameless.Oh let me beShameless…No peak capsAn aimless life,And no grave ever filledBy a blameless knife.Oh let me be… comeShameless…No mask hidesThe pain in life,So no words canExplain my fight.So, let me Be… comeShameless.I call this one it burns. I didn't write it about autism. But families face terrible trials. This was my response to one.3. IT BURNSUp your noseOr in your armIt burnsFirst your charmThen your poseIt burnsNo one learnsThe next child will yearnTil It burnsStill burnsOh it burnsIt burns you upIn the mirrorThat dark strangerStares back at youWild-eyed dangerBut you don't fear herIt's youRight on cueShe's seen things you'd never doBut it's youCuz Baby, it's youIt's you nowWhat won't you doBridges burntTowns ashes.Poppa burntMom ashes.BeautyAshes.DutyAshes.HomeAshes.DreamsSmoke…Lovers turn to johnsBurnt.BabiesBurnt.WombBurnt.BrainBurnt.EyesBurnt out…Up your noseOr in your armIt burntFirst your charmThen your poseIt burntNo one learnedYour next child yearnedTil It burntStill burntOh it burntIt burnt you upAte you upNo one homeJust burnt bones....Okay. Hello… family? Friends? I wasn't born to produce. I was born to observe, experience… then overshare.4. A Shooting Star Has No Purposemy autistic life...failing upwardtoward collapse...?succeeding downwardtoward joy...?it's a quantum thing.the answer is simply...yes.I was not put on this planetto produce.I was born to experience.Observe...and over share.our lives' value isnot measuredby clicks.or data mined by AI.a shooting starslashing through darknesshas no purpose.unlessit ignitesa human instant.illuminates, ya know…that ness…this breathand this moment…all we possess.All.I ain't gonna lie. This one's rough. And long. And complex. It may not need a T.S. Eliot pretentious footnote. But I try to intertwine family, control, and religion. And real events from the winter of 97-98. When the Hale-Bopp comet was fading in the Northern New York skies. And the memory of the Heaven's Gate suicide cult was still fresh in the national mind.This is a hybrid piece. In my mind it's a movie. With scenes, background music. Jump cuts. But you guys probably loved Pulp Fiction. So I pray you can follow me.5. sneaking your mother's creepy g-d on highPrelude, December 1997I begin, “There…There's Heaven's Gate.”She fiddles with the binox dials.“Where should I look?”She asks breathless,Trudging bootless.I barely hear herOver the crackling snowBeneath my feet, but say,“There…That smudge in the sky.”I point again.UFO CultChooses Suicide,The TV said.Thirty-nine bodiesIn matching Nikes,The photo read…I close wet eyesTo the hiss & sizzleOf the Northern LightsOver my head,SilenceThen the cold murmurof the cold mother...“That's why they died?”She shrugs.My eyes open… careful, I shrug,“Maybe… they saw a signal from aliens.Or maybe God on high.Who knows what grimdark signThey read that silent night…”Wordless, clueless… a comet sailedRibbons of green and purple light.One cold blue, one hot pink tailFading from history's sight…So we stroll on intoFake New Year's dinnerCuz not everyoneCould schedule inThe Real One.How rare it isA two-tailed comet in the sky,A lover doesn't lie with her eyes,To greet one free man before you die,How rare it isHow rare it isDinner Musicmy mother in a halo of candlesmy mother wrapped in smokemy mother in dark shadowsmeasuring the length of my ropeShe gathers reports from her childrenThis year's fugue & pedal point,Her table a feast of sand.Youngest Mark files his,A new open source project…“I'm really getting seen.”Lifting my glass to himFrom the dark walnut table,I sip vodka… Neat.Martha next, from her foreign outpostA well-received talk given…Vodka. Neat.Second-oldest Luke comments,Wearing a dead father's mantle“So proud of this my familyProgress on nearly every front.John, you seem…Well, better… strangely.”Yeah. Vodka. Neat. And deep.Mary reports a year in faith.Jesus gave her home.Jesus gave her kids.Jesus gave her strength… alone.I close my eyes in frustrationSee only those twin tailsSailing in that dark…No wine, no waferJust vodka. Neat.The broken mother nods,Waves a weary hand at each.Then turns to me,Product of her first postpartum,Eldest stranger at her table.She faintly smiles…, “John?”This last-invited autistDrunk to a numb survivalStarts slow… and slurred,“Ya know…?Never… believed… in heroes.Those guys & their comet?They did.”I hear hands tense,Casual wear shift & rustle,Eyes crinkle & narrow…Familiar, family sounds.My runaway trainpicks up steamplunging on and intoa dark tangential tunnel“A part of me rejects a g-dborn perfect without sin,casually tossing miracleslike candy & coins… sublimefrom a gaudy Mardi Gras floatTo kids playing in the grime…”I gulp a breath.Silencea child, high on a stone altara hand… a knife in mid air…a sacrfice for appearanceslike thirty-nine bodiesin matching Nike pairs…How fair is itJesus and Jim JonesBoth got emails from Beyond,Love rusts tilIt's just one more bond,Your soul's released whenYour last day's dawned,How fair is itHow fair is itInterlude, January 1998Flash CutCouple weeks laterIce Storm of ‘98.A friendly… familyGame of cards.Frozen in time, frozen in mindAunts, uncles and cousinsNo one's got power, trapped…Cabin, cards, liquor… discussions.Killing time… 3 days…Instead of each other.Oh shit. Oh. Shit…There goes that bidI swore I could make.Under my breath… “Damn it to Hell.”Then head down, out loud,“Oh, Shit.”I'm staring at the hand they dealt.So many near-miss combosSo many runs that went nowhere…“My bad. I shoulda played that 9My mind's off wandering againLet me grab that back. This time.”“No…You gotta drink …Ya gotta drink!This time…Every time!”Rinse repeatMistake over mistakeVodka neat, vodka neatVodka…I… wake to… laughter“Uncle Johnny, you're the dudeFrom stuck up cuntTo puking your shoes.Man, can you let go… when you want.”And let go... I did.A distracted juggler drops his satin ballA drunken knife thrower ties assistants to the wall,The smoking fortune teller wheezes, “Doom finds us all,A Ring Master's whip echoes through an emptying hall….Cadenza, for the End of TimeMy catechism askedWhy did that g-d make me?And I askWhy did this unbonded mom have me?To both cluck in disappointment?Over commandmentsI was bornUnable to follow…?To follow a comet into…DesperationDissolutionSuicideAnd the Peace…Of no need for understanding?Ever again?There is no heroNo godNo bodhisattvaThat does not hideThe dazzling ConfusionIn a burning bushOr explains to meLike I'm a five-year oldWhy that twin-tailed cometStill sails across my mindHow rare it isTo find a godDoesn't want moreThan he gave,A lover who can stay…Even while I raveA man who can liveNot caring if he's saved,How rare it is.How rare it is.Okay. Friends? Finally late in life I got friends. And love. And this last is a selfie of what that's like.6. A Swirl of Flesh-Colored Fog“Ya gotta minute?”She takes a quick scan of the aisles. Then toward the eternal sale table near the entrance. Pink and blue signs promising two if you'll just buy one…It's silent. Just me standing in front of her. Bottle of the Coke Zero I'm addicted to in my hand.Dusk. Rural Indiana. I guess the local beef cattlemen, horsey folks, and military munitions testers up at Crane Naval base? They don't hit Dollar General so much around sun down.“Sure. Nobody much comes in around now. S'up… you good?"I take a beat. To use my words… to find my words.“I'm trying to remember all you guys'… um, ya know, everybody's names….”“Oh, no worries. You're good. We really all should have name badges.”I take another beat. To switch appropriate gears.“You know. The autism thing. I have this face and name thing. It's weird… but I can't remember faces.”Awkward, awkward pause.If you're listening, if you're reading…Let me try to take you inside. My being…What's that like? I only see… Well, words fail me.Take a visit to Walmart. Just a sea of faceless ghosts. Folks I greet, “I know I know you… I have this thing. Can you tell me your name?”Embarrassment. Stammering apologies…See, it's like this…A swirl of flesh-colored fogThat's my wife's face in dreamsI only see her walking awayA grey ponytail., tattered jeansLove of my life… can't see her…Not her green eyes… in stage makeup…Just homemade tats… the shape of her hair…Feelings, memories… talking after that breakup…So, I'm talking to that DG clerk.“We don't get out much. You guys? I guess it's a job. But to us? You're… well, friends. It means something to me. To learn your name. To… know you.”“Oh.” Confused, she pauses. “It's really ok. We know you and your wife. We get it.”“You know?” I'm urgent. I want her to get… the weight of it. “It's not for you. It's for me. It means something to me. To remember your names. And put them with your faces. To be friends.”I flash on all those parental commands to “make friends.” Then say, “I just won't get it right away. But I want to enjoy… doing it.”Silence. Awkward. But intimate.I stammer. “Are you… are you, Ari?” When confused, my go-to fallback is details.“No, she's the short blond one.” She waves her right hand about shoulder high.“I know Kensington… cuz well I walked in on her anaphylactic…. Um, allergy attack. Over in the Dollar Aisle."“Yeah. She's the short one with black hair.” She gestures with her right hand, just a hair lower. “And I'm Cyndi.”We laugh. Together. She mentions the name tags again. I make reassuring noises.“That's Windy, right?”“No.” She laughs. “Cyndi… Just with the I and Y reversed.”“Oh, thank god. For a moment I misremembered again. Thought you were named after a sappy 60s song.”She laughs, easy… again. “No. Never. Not that..”We share a wink. A nod.The doors slide. I walk outside.“Cyndi. Just with the I and Y reversed."A swirl of flesh-colored fog. Framed by glasses. And twisted brown hair on her head.About… yay… tall.#AutisticAF Out Loud Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. Click to receive new postd… free. To support my work, please consider a paid subscription. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnnyprofaneknapp.substack.com/subscribe

How To Be A Smooth Talker - The Art of Casual Detachment

This week's episode the trio discussed Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot summoned to court in former employee harassment case, Paradox ‘making adjustments' to Bloodlines 2‘s Toreador and Lasombra DLC, Sean Murray says the Earth-sized planet in Light No Fire will have ‘real oceans', Crusader Kings 3‘s new DLC has a release date, Gearbox boss Randy Pitchford […] The post Episode 761: Gamescom Report first appeared on .

Cory Hibbard, President of Graze Craze, reveals how his charcuterie-focused fast-casual brand achieved 14 consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth while QSR giants struggle. Operating from small 500-1,000 sq ft locations, Graze Craze has scaled to nearly 100 units in under 5 years by focusing on corporate catering and premium boards that solve dining challenges for businesses and consumers seeking elevated food experiences with fast-casual convenience.#FastCasualNation #GrazeCraze #RestaurantFranchiseGet Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/Capital & Advisory: Are you a fast-casual restaurant startup or a technology innovator in the food service industry? Don't miss out on the opportunity to tap into decades of expertise. Reach out to Savor Capital & Advisory now to explore how their seasoned professionals can propel your business forward. Discover if you're eligible to leverage our unparalleled knowledge in food service branding and technology and take your venture to new heights.Don't wait – amplify your voice or supercharge your startup's growth today with Savor's ecosystem of industry-leading platforms and advisory services. Visit https://www.savor.fm/capital-advisory

In this episode of Five Stripe Weekly, AJ and Michael review the Atlanta United vs Toronto FC match at the Benz. They also recaps the week's news including ATL UTD's transfer window and the grading of the transfer season! In addition, they answer your burning questions in the Mailbag, including when is Ronny Deila getting let go - can the 17s and the casuals do with Deila past this season? Further, they preview the match over the weekend against Nashville SC in what will be a giant test for the backline! What are your thoughts? COMMENT TO JOIN IN! Sponsored by Giant Sports Cards! Check them out at giantsportscards.com! Use "Fan TV" to get 10% off today! --------- We've launched a Patreon! We're constantly leveling up our video and social media content and you can help us sustain the channel and assist from a grassroots level. Help us make more of the content you want to see! Join us! http://patreon.com/atlutdfantv Donate: www.paypal.me/atlutdfantv --------- ▶ Find our podcast in audio form on your favorite podcatchers! --------- ▶ Support the channel while you shop for ATL UTD gear (at no extra cost to you!): https://www.amazon.com/shop/atlantaunitedfantv --------- ▶ COP FROM OUR SHOP (grab some ATL UTD fan gear!): https://teechip.com/stores/tackl --------- About Atlanta United Fan TV: We are created by fans for the fans of Atlanta United and soccer. Join the community to get in on the conversation! Bringing you fan cams, podcasts, vlogs, mini-documentaries and much more! If you're a Five Stripe, we want to hear from you! Whatever you want to say about ATL UTD you can say it in the comments below. And to get in touch with us, connect with us: ▶ INSTAGRAM: https://goo.gl/9uOLVn ▶ BLUESKY: @atlutdfantv.bsky.social ▶ TWITTER: https://goo.gl/5uc709 ▶ TWITCH: https://www.twitch.tv/atlutdfantv ▶ DISCORD: https://discord.gg/C4RXb2b ▶ FACEBOOK: https://tinyurl.com/y3ga5mst ▶ SNAPCHAT: atlutdfantv17 ▶ TIK TOK: atlutdfantv --------- #ATLUTD #UniteAndConquer #MLS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Achieve the effortlessly elegant style of the French with our decorating advice and tips. What is it about the French? They seem to create gorgeous interiors effortlessly without taking a designer approach. Let's talk about how they do it.The Oeil de Boeuf mirror is such a unique look. You can find one ⁠HERE⁠ DTT Defines: Intaglio Today's Crushes:Kelly's crush is the home decor site Mintwood Home - have a look ⁠HERE⁠.We participate in the affiliate program with Amazon and other retailers. We may receive a small fee for qualified purchases at no extra cost to you.Anita's crush is a Dachshund dog paper towel holder ⁠HERE⁠It's a bit cutesy, but more interesting than the run of the mill paper towel holder. Schedule a Design Consult with us!Need help with your home? We'd love to help! We do personalized consults, and we'll offer advice specific to your room that typically includes room layout ideas, suggestions for what the room needs, and how to pull the room together. We'll also help you to decide what isn't working for you. We work with any budget, large or small.Schedule your consult ⁠HERE⁠ Hang out with us between episodes at our blogs, IG and Kelly's YouTube channels. Links are below to all those places to catch up on the other 6 days of the week!Kelly's IG ⁠HERE⁠Kelly's Youtube ⁠HERE⁠Kelly's blog ⁠HERE⁠Anita's IG ⁠HERE⁠Anita's blog ⁠HERE⁠ Subscribe to DTT for FREE:Are you subscribed to the podcast? Don't need to search for us each Wednesday let us come right to your door ...er...device. Subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts. Just hit the SUBSCRIBE button & we'll show up!If you have a moment we would so appreciate it if you left a review for DTT on iTunes. Just go ⁠HERE⁠ and click listen in apple podcasts.XX,Anita & KellyDI - 16:14 / 26:05See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Special Patreon guest 1 of 4 joins us for a special mini-series of Commander Cookout community crapshooting! Today, Jared 'Sink Guy' talks about a deck he's been crafting for a while now. Come hear all about it and help us kick off the celebration of CCO.  Huge thank you to our sponsors, Fusion Gaming Online. They're your source for all of your gaming needs. You can find them here: www.FusionGamingOnline.com. You want a 5% discount off all of your MTG order? Head over to Fusion Gaming Online and use exclusive promo code: CCONATION at checkout.Want your deck or topic featured on Commander Cookout Podcast?Check out the reward tiers at Patreon.com/CCOPodcast. There are a lot of fun and unique benefits to pledging. Like the CCO Discord or getting your deck featured on the show.Ryan's solo podcast, Commander ad Populum:https://www.spreaker.com/show/commander-ad-populumInterested in MTG/Commander History? Check out Commander History Podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mtg-commander-history--6128728You can listen to CCO Podcast anywhere better podcasts are found as well as on CommanderCookout.com.Now, Hit our Theme Song!Social media:https://www.CommanderCookout.comhttps://www.Instagram.com/CommanderCookouthttps://www.Facebook.com/CCOPodcast@CCOPodcast and @CCOBrando on Twitterhttps://www.Patreon.com/CCOPodcasthttps://ko-fi.com/commandercookout

Talk of Applebee's, Taylor Swift, and just general tomfoolery. Music: Stevie B - Spring Love Exec. Produced by Cyrus Poe

Huge thank you to our sponsors, Fusion Gaming Online.You can find them here: www.FusionGamingOnline.com. You want a 5% discount off all of your MTG order? Head over to Fusion Gaming Online and use exclusive promo code: CCONATION at checkout.Want your deck or topic featured on Commander Cookout Podcast?Check out the reward tiers at Patreon.com/CCOPodcast. There are a lot of fun and unique benefits to pledging. Like the CCO Discord or getting your deck featured on the show.Ryan's solo podcast, Commander ad Populum:https://www.spreaker.com/show/commander-ad-populumInterested in MTG/Commander History? Check out Commander History Podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mtg-commander-history--6128728You can listen to CCO Podcast anywhere better podcasts are found as well as on CommanderCookout.com.Now, Hit our Theme Song!Social media:https://www.CommanderCookout.comhttps://www.Instagram.com/CommanderCookouthttps://www.Facebook.com/CCOPodca

This week I'm joined by the prolific commander content creator, MTG Muddstah! We talk about his process and journey, and content creating as a parent! Casual Magic is brought to you by Archidekt and Quiver and by my patrons at patreon.com/shivamb. Thank you for your support!

In this episode of Casual Chats, Arun and Patricia discuss about the 2025 animated film The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie based on the 2020 HBO Max series Looney Tunes Cartoons. Daffy Duck and Porky Pig were orphans raised by a farmer named Jim. He left them the farmhouse where it's now in disrepair and disarray. After failing a house inspection, they have several days to raise money to fix their roof before they lose their house forever. They work at a gum factory where a new flavor is being promoted, but an alien invader tampers with it to create gum zombies. It's up to Daffy, Porky, and Petunia Pig to save the earth from aliens.The film went through massive production hell and was even written off for tax purposes by Warner Bros. before an animation company called Ketchup Entertainment saved the film from obscurity. It received a short theatrical release with no advertisement. Despite making its budget back of $15 million dollars, it received positive reviews from critics and animation fans. What did Arun and Patricia think of the film?

Concerned guests can now scoop their own Chipotle protein. Pumpkin Spice is back at Starbucks. And there's an underrated element to casual-dining's comeback.

Mara Sadé, formerly known as Jakara Jackson, has made the jump from WWE to TNA Wrestling, bringing her charisma and athleticism to a new stage. This video looks at her transformation, her new chapter in TNA, and why fans should be excited about what's next. In the newest "Casual Conversations with The Classic'' episode, the Wrestling Classic Justin catches up with a the Go Getter herself Mara Sadè, formerly known as Jakara Jackson at Wrestlecon. In this quick conversation they discuss life post NXT, debuting on the independent's in Paris, 4th Rope, her new name, Lash Legend, Dream Matches and much more! Enjoy! Social Handles Mara Sadè - @itsmarasade (IG & X)My Official Website + Demo Reel - https://www.justindhillon.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thewrestlingclassic/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thewrestlingclassic X - https://x.com/twcworldwide Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@TheWrestlingClassic/ Limited Edition TWC Tee https://headquartersclothing.com/products/headquarters-x-the-wrestling-classic-logo-tee?_pos=1&_psq=wrestlinhg&_ss=e&_v=1.0 WWE Shop Affiliate wwe-shop.sjv.io/RGRxQv 500 Level https://www.500level.com/ Join the Discord Community https://linktr.ee/thewrestlingclassic All Episodes are on "The Wrestling Classic" Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOQOYraeFlX-xd8f3adQtTw#MaraSadè #TNAWrestling #4thRope #WWENXT #JakaraJacksonBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/twc-show--4417554/support.

When was the last time you were wowed by God? In this message, we explore Jesus' words “Hallowed be Your Name”and how recovering holy wonder can transform our prayers, reshape our lives, and even change the world.

Originally broadcast 6/13/25 This week Jared eats soup, a corpse was found abandoned in an ambulance...for a long time, the creepy Long Island Serial Killer was filmed on public transit, theres funeral home stuff, and more raccoons. It's also Friday the 13th! Follow/subscribe at http://Twitch.tv/audiowoolnetwork to know when we go live first.  Hot tip of something to cover? Email byron@frightday.com, subject line “Casual Frightday”. Send us physical things: Frightday LLC PO Box 372 Lolo, MT 59847 Want to see the video? http://youtube.com/frightday Want even more? Join the Frightday Society, at http://thefrightdaysociety.org You'll have access to all Screamium content (Behind the Screams, It's Been a Weird Week, A Conversation With..., Toast to Toast PM with Wine Kelly, Cinema Autopsy, the Writers' Room, bonus episodes of Captain Kelly's Cryptids & Conspiracies, Byron's Serial Corner, and so much more!  You'll also be part of our interactive community dedicated to the advancement of horror, hauntings, cryptids, conspiracies, aliens, and true crime. All things frightening.  Keep our mini-fridges full of blood...I mean...not blood...normal things that people drink...by going to http://shop.frightday.com  Theme music by Cemeteries Produced by Byron McKoy Follow us in the shadows at the following places: @byronmckoy @kellyfrightday @frightday

What happens when you're on a thru-hike and need to press the SOS button to be rescued? Casual backpackers and long-distance hikers alike can learn from Kristine or "GG's" experience on the Continental Divide Trail. In this episode, you'll learn about:What exactly happens once you press the SOS button and important details to keep in mindHow to be found and how to have a successful rescueTips for a specific area along the Continental Divide Trail near the Ghost Ranch area - & much more!Connect with GG:GG's Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GG on The TrekHelp fellow hikers find the show by following, rating, and reviewing the podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!Connect With THRU-r & Cheer:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join The Trail Family⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠THRU-r Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠THRU-r Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠THRU-r Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠THRU-r Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠THRU-r Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cheer's YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cheer's Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Episode Music: "Communicator" by Reed Mathis

When your grandma's a Sunday school teacher and your mom tells you Ouija boards are evil, you should probably listen. But not Shana. No—she brought one to a slumber party, lit some candles, played whale music (because apparently ghosts love spa vibes), and accidentally contacted something that called itself “G.” At first, it claimed to be her sweet Uncle Mike… until it confessed to being a wife-murdering entity from Hell who wanted her dead. Casual. From creepy responses to scarily accurate underwear guesses, “G” made it clear he wasn't just passing through. Now, Shana won't even Google the word Ouija. Smart move. If you have a real ghost story or supernatural event to report, please write into our show or call 1-855-853-4802! If you like the show, please help keep us on the air and support the show by becoming a Premium Subscriber.  Subscribe here: http://www.ghostpodcast.com/?page_id=118 or at or at http://www.patreon.com/realghoststories Watch more at: http://www.realghoststoriesonline.com/ Follow Tony: Instagram: HTTP://www.instagram.com/tonybrueski TikToc: https://www.tiktok.com/@tonybrueski Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tony.brueski 

This week we talk about where we've broken down, where we've had great moments, Stormraige hates the most recent dev comment, Smarms and Stormraige love the recent BGs update, and Smarms 1% shows.   Logo Created By: Nate Wolfe. Modifications by Gingersaurous Theme Song By: Se7enist. https://open.spotify.com/artist/5kmsQa4jBfiUwWLqOp64GX? You can buy merch here: https://blizzlet.myspreadshop.com/all

Heat Wave Warning,  Meteorologist Dallas Raines says fans can actually make you hotter once temps hit 95° — instead of cooling you, they can speed up heat gain. With a dangerous heat wave setting in, a red flag warning is now in effect.  Forget the 405 — a new study says SoCal's worst freeway is actually the 10. Casual restaurants are raking it in as cost-conscious diners chase value over fine dining. Headline: “Why Casual Chains Are Winning the Restaurant Wars” Two food bloggers cheated death after a car slammed into the restaurant they were eating at

Is this the beginning of the end? Is it the worst MTG-case scenario? Are we doomed?! Probably not. But lots of what we thought about Universes Beyond is coming true. Come here our thoughts on the matter, and so much more, on CCO 504.Huge thank you to our sponsors, Fusion Gaming Online. They're your source for all of your gaming needs. You can find them here: www.FusionGamingOnline.com. You want a 5% discount off all of your MTG order? Head over to Fusion Gaming Online and use exclusive promo code: CCONATION at checkout.Want your deck or topic featured on Commander Cookout Podcast?Check out the reward tiers at Patreon.com/CCOPodcast. There are a lot of fun and unique benefits to pledging. Like the CCO Discord or getting your deck featured on the show.Ryan's solo podcast, Commander ad Populum:https://www.spreaker.com/show/commander-ad-populumInterested in MTG/Commander History? Check out Commander History Podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mtg-commander-history--6128728You can listen to CCO Podcast anywhere better podcasts are found as well as on CommanderCookout.com.Now, Hit our Theme Song!Social media:https://www.CommanderCookout.comhttps://www.Instagram.com/CommanderCookouthttps://www.Facebook.com/CCOPodcast@CCOPodcast and @CCOBrando on Twitterhttps://www.Patreon.com/CCOPodcasthttps://ko-fi.com/commandercookout

Last time we spoke about the fall of Shanghai. In October 1937 a small battalion led by Colonel Xie Jinyuan transformed the Sihang Warehouse into a fortress against the advancing Japanese army. These men, known as the "800 Heroes," became symbols of hope, rallying local citizens who provided vital support. Despite heavy casualties, they held out against overwhelming odds until a strategic retreat was ordered on November 1. As Japanese forces intensified their assaults, they breached the Chinese defenses and captured strategic positions along Suzhou Creek. The fighting was fierce, marked by desperate counterattacks from the besieged Chinese soldiers, who faced an unyielding enemy. By November 9, the Chinese faced a full retreat, their organized defenses collapsing into chaos as they fled the city. Desperate civilians sought refuge in the International Settlement but were met with hostility, exacerbating the terror of the moment. Amidst the turmoil, remaining forces continued to resist in pockets, holding out as long as possible. By November 11, Japanese troops raised their flag in the last stronghold, marking a grim victory.   #163 Crossing Nanjing's Rubicon Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. As the Japanese were mopping up Shanghai, Chiang Kai-Shek wrote in his diary on November 11th “I fear that they could threaten Nanjing”. Over In Shanghai, General Matsui Iwane was dealing with foreign correspondents, eager to learn what Japan's next move would be and to this he simply stated “For future developments, you had better ask Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek”. The correspondents were surprised by this response and pressed him further. He replied . “Chiang Kai-shek was reported to have predicted a five-year war, well, it might be that long. We don't know whether we will go to Nanjing or not. It all depends on Chiang.” At this point Shanghai was falling under Japanese control and now Matsui and his fellow field commanders were thinking, what's next? Nanjing was certainly the next objective. It was a common understanding amongst the Japanese leadership, that if the four main eastern cities of Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai and Nanjing were lost, Chiang Kai-Shek's government would collapse. Three of these cities had been taken, Nanjing was dangling like fresh fruit. Matsui's staff believed the Chinese units departing Shanghai would mount a stand immediately west of the city, probably a defensive line running from Jiading to Huangduzhen. On the night of November 11th, Matsui issued a command to all units in the Shanghai area to advance west along the railway towards Nanjing. Their first objective would be a line extending from Taicang to Kunshan. Chiang Kai-Shek was not only reeling from military defeats, but also the gradual loss of his German allies. The Germans were increasingly aligning with the Japanese. Chiang Kai-Shek was looking for new external help, so he turned to the Soviets. It was a marriage of convenience, Chiang Kai-Shek signed a non-aggression pact with the USSR that year and wasted no time pleading for aircraft and pilots. Moscow began sending them before the ink touched the paper. 200 aircraft and pilots in return for some essential minerals, wolfram and tungsten. The Sino-Soviet friendship even drew in an unlikely source of support, Sir Winston Churchill. The Soviet envoy to the UK described how during a meeting with Churchill “he greatly praised our tactics in the Far East: maintenance of neutrality and simultaneous aid to China in weaponry.” Soviet pilots found themselves dispatched to Nanjing where they were briefed by Yakov Vladimirovich Smushkevich, the deputy commander of the Soviet Air Force. “The Japanese armed forces are technically superior to the Chinese. The Chinese Air Force is a particular concern. Soviet pilots who have rushed to China's aid are currently in Nanjing. They are fighting valiantly.” Meanwhile back at Shanghai discipline and order that had characterized previous Chinese withdrawal had collapsed. Simply put, there were hundreds of thousands of men trying to retreat across the lower Yangtze region, it was a shitstorm. Many units had to disengage during combat with the enemy and scramble to pull out. Huang Qixiang, the deputy commander of the Chinese right flank in Shanghai, executed a strategic withdrawal moments before his command post succumbed to the advancing enemy forces. Just fifteen minutes after his departure, the area was overrun by Japanese troops. In a desperate bid to avoid capture, another general had to cross a creek, nearly drowning in the process. Rescued while barely clinging to life and drenched in icy water, he was welcomed by a peasant family who aided in his recovery before he resumed his arduous journey westward. The scale of this withdrawal, occurring both day and night, could hardly escape the enemy's notice, and its complexity made the operation increasingly difficult. The execution of the withdrawal exacerbated the situation significantly. Orders to abandon their positions started to trickle down immediately after the upper command made the decision. However, these orders reached the units in a disorganized manner. Many telephone lines had been sabotaged, and when soldiers were sent to relay the orders in person, they faced severe disruptions in the transportation network. Consequently, many units only became aware of the withdrawal when they witnessed the mass movements of their comrades heading westward. Upon realizing what was happening, many soldiers fled in a state of panic. There were no comprehensive plans outlining the retreat, no designated routes for the various units, nor any established timetables. The outcome was a chaotic scramble for survival. Soldiers who had fought side by side for three months suddenly found themselves competing against one another in a desperate race to escape. At bridges and other chokepoints, weary soldiers exhausted their last reserves of strength, brawling with their fellow troops to be the first to cross. Meanwhile, officers traveling in chauffeur-driven cars attempted to assert their rank to gain priority access to the roads, adding to the growing disorder that ensued. The massive army was hindered by its sheer size, resulting in miles of congested roads filled with men unable to move in any direction. This made them easy targets for Japanese aircraft, leading to a bloody cycle of repeated attacks. Planes adorned with the red Rising Sun insignia would emerge from the horizon, swooping down to strike at these vulnerable formations. As commander Chen Yiding recalled “The lack of organization and the gridlocked roads resulted in far more casualties than could have been avoided,”.  On November 12th, the newspaper Zhaongyang Ribao, published an editorial addressing the citizens of Nanjing, to remind them that tough times lay ahead now that Shanghai had fallen. The article stipulated they needed to prepare the city for the upcoming battle,  “Now, all the citizenry of the capital must fulfill their duty in a way that can serve as a model for the entire nation.” Nanjing in 1937 was a city touched by the war, but not enough to change the social fabric just yet. Cinema's remained open, the shopping arcade was crowded as usual, traffic was heavy along Zhongshan Road, order remained. Telephones remained on, except during air raids. Connections to the outside world functioned as they should, given this was the capital. The region had seen a good harvest in 1937, no one was going hungry. However as the front 200 miles away drew closer, bombing raids more frequent, fear of the enemy increased. Contact with the outside world gradually declined. By mid November the train link from Nanjing to Shanghai was severed.  While the fear amongst the populace increased, so did a newfound sense of common purpose against a common enemy. Poster calling for the Chinese to unite against the Japanese invaders were found throughout Nanjing. Residents were conscripted for various fortification efforts, with some receiving basic military training to help defend the city. Those who refused to cooperate faced severe penalties as “traitors,” while the majority willingly participated. Both military and civilian police were deployed throughout the city, diligently checking identities in an ongoing effort to root out spies and traitors. The authorities enforced a strict prohibition against discussing military matters in restaurants and other public venues. Then all the high ranking military officials and politicians families gradually began departing the city in secrecy. This was followed by said politicians and military officials. Twas not a good look. Nanjing soon saw its population decline from 1 million to half a million. Those who stayed behind were mainly the poor, or those anchored, like shopkeepers. Every day saw a steady stream of Nanjing citizens leaving the city over her main roads, fleeing into the countryside with carts full of belongings. On November 12th at 10am orders were issued for the Japanese to advance west. What had been a war of attrition, where inches of land were claimed with blood, suddenly it was a war of movement. As one Japanese soldier recalled “In the course of 50 days, I had moved only two miles. Now suddenly we were experiencing rapid advance”. As the Japanese came across small towns, they found large posters plastered on all the walls. These were all anti-japanese with some nationalist propaganda. The Japanese soldiers would tear them down and paint up their own messages “down with Chiang Kai-Shek!”.  Towns and cities west of Shanghai fell rapidly one after another, each succumbing to a grim pattern: swift conquest followed by widespread devastation. Jiading, a county seat with a population of approximately 30,000, succumbed to a prolonged siege. When the 10st division captured Jiading on November 13, after relentless shelling had leveled a third of the city, they began a massacre, indiscriminately killing nearly everyone in their path, men, women, and children alike. The battle and its aftermath resulted in over 8,000 casualties among the city's residents and surrounding countryside. One Japanese soldier referred to Jiading as “A city of death, in a mysteriously silent world in which the only sound was the tap of our own footsteps”.  On November 14, soldiers from the 9th Division reached Taicang, an ancient walled city designed to withstand lengthy sieges. As they crossed the 70-foot moat amid heavy fire, the Japanese troops confronted the formidable 20-foot-high city wall. After breaching the wall, their infantry swiftly entered the city and seized control. The destruction persisted long after the fighting ceased, with half of the city being devastated, including significant cultural institutions like the library, and salt and grain reserves were looted. It was as if the Japanese aimed to obliterate not just the material existence of the people but their spiritual foundation as well.  Casual cruelty marked the nature of warfare along the entire front, with few prisoners being taken. Ishii Seitaro, a soldier in the 13th Division's 26th Brigade, encountered a mass execution while marching alongside the Yangtze River. Several headless corpses floated nearby, yet three Chinese prisoners remained alive. A Japanese officer, personally overseeing the execution, wore a simple uniform, but the two ornate swords at his belt indicated his wealthy background. Approaching one prisoner, the officer dramatically drew one of the swords and brandished it through the air with exaggerated flair. In an almost theatrical display, he held it aloft, the blade trembling as if he were nervous. The prisoner, in stark contrast, exhibited an unnerving calmness as he knelt, awaiting his inevitable fate. The officer swung the sword down but failed to deliver a clean strike. Although he inflicted a deep gash to the prisoner's skull, it was not fatal. The prisoner collapsed, thrashing and emitting a prolonged scream that sent chills through those present. The officer, seemingly exhilarated by the anguish he caused, began wildly slashing at the figure until the screams subsided. Ishii turned away in horror, his mind swirling with confusion. Why were the Chinese being executed? Had they not surrendered?  Three months into the war's expansion to the Yangtze region, air raids had become an all too frequent menace in Nanjing. The first major raid came on August 15th and increased each week. On the night of August 27, approximately 30 bombs were dropped on Purple Mountain, specifically targeting the Memorial Park for Sun Yat-sen, aiming to hurt the morale of Nanjing's residents. As days melted into weeks and weeks stretched into months, the landscape of Nanjing transformed under the weight of war. Residents began constructing dugouts in courtyards, gardens, public squares, and even on streets. Foreigners painted their national flags on top of buildings and vehicles, attempting to avoid the risk of being machine-gunned by strafing aircraft. Each raid followed a predictable routine: sirens wailed loudly 20 to 30 minutes before the attack, signaling pedestrians to seek shelter and drivers to stop their engines. By the time a shorter warning sounded, the streets had to be cleared, leaving nothing to do but await the arrival of Japanese planes. Initially, the part-US-trained Chinese Air Force posed a considerable threat to Japanese bombers. The 4th and 5th Chinese Squadrons, stationed near Nanjing to defend the capital, achieved early success, reportedly downing six bombers during the first air raid on Nanjing. Much of the credit for these aerial victories belonged to Claire Chennault, a retired American Army Air Corps captain who had become an advisor to the Chinese Air Force, overseeing Nanjing's air defense. Chennault taught his pilots tactics he had developed in the US but had never fully implemented. His strategy was straightforward: three fighters would focus on one enemy bomber at a time. One would attack from above, another from below, while a third would hover in reserve to deliver the final blow if necessary. He instructed the Chinese pilots to target the engines rather than the fuselage, reasoning that any missed shots could hit the gas tanks located in the wing roots. This approach proved successful, leading to the loss of 54 Japanese planes within three days. For Chennault, it validated his belief that air superiority required a diverse range of aircraft, not just bombers. Nighttime raids, however, posed a greater challenge. Chennault, along with other commanders, sought solutions. Chinese General C.C. Wong, a German-trained artillery officer overseeing the country's anti-aircraft defenses, ensured that dozens of large Sperry searchlights were positioned throughout Nanjing in a grid pattern. This setup had a dual purpose: it would dazzle the Japanese bomber crews and highlight their planes in silhouette for Chinese fighters above to target. The bravery of the most skilled Chinese pilots occasionally gained media attention, making them local celebrities amidst an otherwise grim war environment. However, this bright moment faded quickly when the Japanese command decided to provide escorts for their bombers. Consequently, the elite of China's air force, its finest pilots and aircraft, were lost within weeks that fall. All air raids were brutal, but the worst assaults occurred at the end of September. As a radio broadcaster reported on September 25th “Gallons of civilian blood flowed today as Nanking endured three ferocious air raids”. In total, 96 Japanese sorties were launched on that day. Witnesses observed around a dozen Chinese aircraft retreating north across the Yangtze, initially believing they were fleeing, but some returned to confront the enemy. When Chinese fighters managed to down a Japanese bomber, the streets erupted in cheers as civilians momentarily forgot their fear. The primary aim of the September 25 attack appeared to be spreading terror among the civilian population. Chiang Kai-Shek wrote in his diary that day  “The repeated Japanese air raids over the past several days have had no impact on our military installations. Instead, civilian property has sustained significant damage.” Around 20 bombs struck the Central Hospital, one of Nanjing's largest medical facilities, causing extensive destruction and prompting the evacuation of its staff. Two 1,000-pound bombs exploded nearby, leaving large craters. Had these bombs landed slightly closer, they could have resulted in mass casualties among the hospital's 100 patients, including a Japanese pilot who had been shot down earlier that month. The air raids at the end of September prompted protests from the Americans, British, and French governments to Japan. In response, Tokyo issued a statement on September 30, asserting that while they were not intentionally targeting non-combatants, it was “unavoidable” for achieving military objectives that military airfields and installations in and around Nanjing be bombed.   The battle for Jiashan was among the fiercest in the southern Yangtze delta campaign in November 1937. Although Jiashan was a moderately sized town straddling a crucial railway connecting Shanghai to Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province. For the Japanese, seizing Jiashan was imperative for their westward advance; without it, their military progress would be severely hampered. Jiashan had endured three days of relentless bombing by the Japanese Air Force, driving most residents to flee into the surrounding countryside. Only about 100 remained, those who were too old or too sick to escape, abandoned by family or friends who lacked the means to assist them. The Japanese troops brutally bayoneted nearly all of these individuals and buried them in a mass grave just outside the town's northern gate. Jiashan was captured by the 10th Army, a division fresh from victories and eager to engage in combat, unlike the weary forces of the Shanghai Expeditionary Force further north. With less than a week of combat experience, the 10th Army's soldiers were hungry for a fight. The martial spirit of the 10th Army was exemplified by its commander, Yanagawa Heisuke. Born near Nagasaki in 1879, he was among a group of retired officers called back to active service as the war in China escalated unexpectedly. Having served in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 and taught at the Beijing Army College in 1918, Yanagawa had considerable experience in military affairs. However, his past exposure to China did not cultivate any empathy for the enemy. He was determined to push all the way to Nanjing, and once there, he intended to blanket the city in mustard gas and incendiaries until it capitulated. While Japanese commanders debated the value of capturing Nanjing, the Chinese were equally preoccupied with whether it was worth defending. Most military professionals viewed the situation as a lost cause from the start. After the fall of Shanghai, Chiang Kai-shek summoned one of his top commanders, Chen Cheng, to Nanjing for discussions. “How can Nanjing be held?” Chen Cheng shot back “Are you ordering me to hold Nanjing?” Chiang replied “I am not”. Chen Cheng stated frankly, “I believe Nanjing should not be held at all.” By mid-November, Bai Chongxi, one of China's most respected generals, advocated for declaring Nanjing an open city. He argued that defending it was not only unnecessary but also impossible. All available forces had been deployed to Shanghai and were now exhausted. Furthermore, no reinforcements would be forthcoming if they made a stand in Nanjing. Instead of stubbornly clinging to fixed positions, he preferred a more flexible defensive strategy. Zhang Qun, Chiang's secretary, supported Bai's stance, believing that while Nanjing should ultimately be abandoned, political considerations were paramount. If the Chinese simply withdrew and allowed the Japanese to occupy the city, it would undermine China's position in any future negotiations. The Japanese would not be able to present themselves as victors who had triumphed in battle. Similarly, Chiang's chief military advisor, General Alexander von Falkenhausen, was against attempting to hold Nanjing. He deemed it “useless from a military perspective, suggesting it would be madness.” He warned that if Chiang forced his army into a decisive battle with their backs to the Yangtze River, “a disaster would probably be unavoidable.” Chiang's head of the operations bureau Liu Fei argued Nanjing could not be abandoned without a fight as it would crush the NRA's morale. He believed that defending the city could be managed with as few as 12 regiments, although 18 would be feasible. Most at the meeting agreed and Chiang understood Nanjing's international recognition necessitated some form of defense, doomed or not. A second meeting was formed whereupon, Tang Shengzhi, a general staff officer whose loyalties were, lets be honest very flip floppy. During the warlord era, he routinely switched sides, especially against Chiang Kai-Shek. At the meeting Tang stated in regards to Nanjing's international prominence and being the final resting place of Dr Sun Yat-Sen “How can we face the spirit of the former president in heaven? We have no choice but to defend the capital to the death.” Chiang's commanders were all well aware of his intentions. The generalissimo was eager for a dramatic last stand in Nanjing to serve propaganda purposes, aiming to rally the nation and convey to the world that China was resolute in its fight against Japan. His commanders also recognized the rationale behind fighting for Nanjing; however, very few were inclined to embark on what seemed a likely suicide mission. The third meeting occurred the day after the second. Chiang opened by asking, as many anticipated, “Who is willing to shoulder the burden of defending Nanjing?” An awkward silence followed. Then Tang Shengzhi stepped forward. “Chairman, if no one else is willing, I will. I'm prepared to defend Nanjing and to hold it to the death.” Without hesitation, Chiang accepted his offer. “Good, the responsibility is yours.”A little refresher on Tang, he had played a role in Chiang Kai-shek's efforts to unify China by force in the 1920s, when the nation was a patchwork of fiefdoms. However, their relationship had soured on two occasions, forcing Tang into temporary exile, first to Japan and then to Hong Kong. The Japanese invasion of northeastern China in 1931 prompted a loose reconciliation, and since then, Tang had held several important positions, notably organizing war games simulating a Japanese assault on Nanjing. However Tang had often suffered from illness, and crucially, he had not led troops in the field against the Japanese since the onset of full-scale war that summer. Hailing from Hunan province, he was a typical provincial soldier and would likely face challenges commanding respect among elite divisions loyal solely to the central government in Nanjing. He was definitely not the first choice for such a significant task.  Amazingly, while tens of thousands of Chinese and Japanese were killing each other, while Japanese planes relentlessly bombarded Chinese cities including the capital, and while Japanese soldiers committed heinous atrocities against Chinese civilians, the two nations maintained diplomatic relations. China had a fully operational embassy in Tokyo, led by Xu Shiying, a 65-year-old diplomat. This surreal arrangement persisted because neither side was willing to officially declare war. In the fall of 1937, as Japanese armies were heavily engaged on two fronts within mainland China, Xu met with Japanese Foreign Minister Hirota Koki to propose a non-aggression treaty. The proposal was swiftly rejected in Nanjing. By November 1937, Xu was no longer at the forefront of events, and foreign observers shifted their focus from the capitals of the warring nations to Belgium. While large-scale battles raged along the lower Yangtze, representatives from 19 countries convened in Brussels to search for a way to end hostilities. Although China participated in the conference, Japan did not. Japan had received two invitations to join the talks, with its response to the second arriving in Brussels on November 12: a firm rejection. Japan asserted that it preferred direct bilateral negotiations with China, dismissing the Brussels conference held under the auspices of the Nine-Power Treaty, a pact signed in 1922 aimed at ensuring China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Japan argued that intervention by a collective body like the conference “would merely stir national sentiments in both countries and complicate efforts to reach a mutually satisfactory resolution.” The League of Nations had called for a Nine-Power conference a month earlier, which ultimately became a 19-power conference as other nations with interests in East Asia joined. From the outset, Japan opposed the assembly and was absent when the first plenary meeting commenced in Brussels on November 3. Japanese leaders feared that China might attempt to leverage the conference against Western powers, recalling how, in 1895, Japan had been denied its spoils following its first modern war with China due to the intervention of Russia, France, and Germany, who blocked Japan from claiming the strategic Liaodong Peninsula adjacent to Korea. China also exhibited a lukewarm attitude toward the conference. While Japan feared the potential outcomes, China was concerned about the lack of significant results. The proposal to transition discussions from the League of Nations, perceived as ineffective, to the even less authoritative Nine Powers, which lacked formal organization. Nonetheless, the Chinese chose to participate in Brussels, maintaining the pretense that something meaningful could be accomplished. Shortly after Japan's second rejection of the invitation, Wellington Koo made an impassioned plea in Brussels, stating, “Now that the door to conciliation and mediation has been slammed in your face by the latest reply of the Japanese Government, will you not decide to withhold supplies of war materials and credit to Japan and extend aid to China?” In reality, Koo understood that significant Western aid to China was highly unlikely, aside from token gestures. Previous international discussions had momentarily halted Japanese advances in the past; for instance, in 1932, Japanese troops had paused their movements in the Shanghai area just hours before the League of Nations General Assembly commenced. However, that was nearly six years earlier, and circumstances had changed dramatically since then. Rogue states had grown bolder, while democracies seemed increasingly timid. Thus, the Chinese agenda in Brussels was not primarily driven by hopes for substantial Western concessions. Instead, the delegates had been tasked by Nanjing to anticipate the post-conference landscape and to actively seek ways to encourage Europe and America to support Soviet military action against Japan.   China, long reliant on Germany as a diplomatic partner, increasingly felt betrayed, not just by Germany, but also by its fascist ally, Italy. Consequently, it began looking more favorably upon the Soviet Union, Japan's archrival in Northeast Asia, as its main source of international support. The Soviet Union exhibited a firmer stance than the Western democracies at the Brussels conference, joining China in advocating for collective security in Europe and Asia. On November 15th, a small group of officers from the 10th Army gathered for late-night discussions in an abandoned building north of Hangzhou Bay, where they would effectively decide the fate of China. Yanagawa Heisuke, the commander of the 10th Army, presided over the discussions. Fresh from the battlefield since the beginning of the month, he was eager to escalate the fight, a sentiment echoed among the others. It was an unusual meeting, where officers as low in rank as major were making decisions typically reserved for the highest echelons of political power. The agenda included a pivotal question: Should they adhere to Order No. 600 received from Tokyo a week prior, which instructed them to halt their advance along a line from Suzhou to Jiaxing? Or, should they disregard these explicit orders and push forward to seize Nanjing? While the Japanese Army had failed to completely annihilate the Chinese forces around Shanghai, there was a consensus that their adversary was now reeling from recent setbacks, presenting an opportune moment to strike decisively and secure a swift victory. The only remaining question was how aggressively to pursue this goal. Colonel Terada Masao, a senior staff officer within the 10th Army, spoke first. “The Chinese Army is currently retreating toward the capital. We should cross that line and pursue the enemy straight to Nanjing.” Major Iketani Hanjiro, a staff officer recently attached to the fast-moving 6th Division, then offered his input “From a tactical perspective, I completely agree with Terada that we should cross the line, but the decision to attack Nanjing should be considered not just tactically, but also politically. It's not that field commanders can't create a fait accompli to pressure our superiors in Tokyo. However, we must proceed with great caution”. A staff officer raised this question  “What if Tokyo orders us to pull back those smaller units?” Iketani responded “In that case, we will, of course, withdraw them to this side of the line”. Ultimately, Iketani's cautions were set aside, and Terada's aggressive approach prevailed. The majority agreed that the tactical circumstances presented a rare opportunity. Japanese troops in the Shanghai area were poised to advance west, not through small, individual skirmishes but with a substantial deployment of their forces. Officers estimated that if a decisive push was made immediately, Nanjing could fall into Japanese hands within 20 days. However Colonel Kawabe Torashiro, the newly appointed chief of the Army General Staff's Operations Section suddenly arrived at the theater. He was sent on a mission to assess whether the Central China Area Army should be granted greater operational freedom. It was well known in Tokyo that field officers were eager to capitalize on the momentum created by the collapse of Chinese defenses around Shanghai. Kawabe's task was to explore the possibility of allowing forces to cross the line from Suzhou to Jiaxing and move westward in pursuit of the retreating enemy. However, Kawabe was staunchly opposed to further military adventures in China. Kawabe was part of the dwindling faction of "China doves" within the Japanese military. As early as the summer of 1937, he had become alarmed by a letter from a civilian Japanese visitor to the Chinese mainland, warning that Japanese officers were attempting to engineer an “incident” with China to provoke open conflict. This would provide Japan with a pretext to expand its influence in northern China. Kawabe had attempted to alert his superiors, but his warnings fell on deaf ears. They had been lulled into a false sense of security by reports from China that dismissed all talk of war-mongering as baseless and alarmist. When he arrived to the front he stated “I am here to inspect conditions on the ground so that a final decision can be made on where to establish the operational restriction line”. Alongside him came General Akira Muto, recently appointed the commander of the Central China Area Army. He also happened to be one of the architects of the Marco Polo Bridge Incident. Muto responded promptly: “The line currently stretches from Suzhou to Jiaxing, but we should consider crossing it. This will help us achieve our overall objectives in the theater.” Muto continued, arguing that the 10th Army should be permitted to advance to Huzhou, south of Lake Tai, effectively cutting off communications between Nanjing and the strategic city of Hangzhou. He further claimed that the Shanghai Expeditionary Force should be allowed to capture the vital city of Jiangyin, suggesting, perhaps overly optimistically, that its loss could lead to the fall of Chiang Kai-shek. Ultimately, Muto insisted, Nanjing should also be seized, which he asserted would bring an end to the war. Kawabe listened patiently, a practice he would repeat in the following days as other field officers echoed similar sentiments, eagerly expressing their desire to advance all the way to Nanjing. Yanagawa and his 10th Army exemplified this aggressive mindset. Nevertheless, just as the hawks within the Japanese military and the nation's political leadership appeared to be prevailing in the struggle over China policy, they faced unexpected challenges from a different direction. Germany, a power with ambiguous sympathies in East Asia, was quietly engaged in negotiations aimed at bringing peace. Oskar Trautmann, Germany's ambassador to China, had maintained an objective and neutral stance when he met with Chiang Kai-shek in early November to relay Japan's conditions for initiating peace talks. These conditions included extensive concessions in northern China, such as the withdrawal of all Chinese troops to a line south of Beijing and the establishment of a pro-Japanese regime in Inner Mongolia, bordering the Soviet-controlled Mongolian People's Republic. Chiang dismissed these demands outright, but Trautmann and his superiors in Beijing continued their top-secret efforts. Germany's motivation for seeking an end to the Sino-Japanese War was not rooted in a genuine love for peace, but rather in their embarrassment over witnessing their old Asian ally, China, fighting against their new partner, Japan. Herman Göring, president of the Reichstag and a leading figure in the Nazi party, told a Chinese visitor, “China and Japan are both friends of Germany. The Sino-Japanese War has put Germany between Scylla and Charybdis. That's why Germany is ready to seize the chance to become a mediator.” Germany also feared that a prolonged conflict in China could jeopardize its commercial interests in East Asia and weaken Japan's capacity to confront the Soviet Union, potentially freeing Moscow to allocate more resources to a fight in Europe. In essence, continued hostilities could significantly harm Germany. Japanese field commanders were frustrated by Germany's mediation efforts.  When news of Trautmann's mission leaked, the German diplomat faced severe criticism in the Chinese media, which deemed any negotiation with the "Japanese devils" unacceptable. Additionally, there was the matter of China's ties with the Soviet Union; employing a German mediator raised the possibility of cooperation among China, Japan, and Germany, potentially expanding the anti-Soviet bloc, which would, in turn, pressure Moscow to increase its support for China. By mid-November, however, the complexities of this diplomatic game started unraveling and then Japan took action. At 7:00 am on November 19, Yanagawa issued instructions to his troops in the field. “The enemy's command system is in disarray, and a mood of defeat has descended over their entire army. They have lost the will to fight. The main Chinese forces were retreating west of the line stretching from Suzhou to Jiaxing, and this withdrawal was soon likely to spiral into a full-scale retreat. We must not miss the opportunity to pursue the enemy to Nanjing.” I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. Shanghai had fallen, and the Japanese forces pursued their fleeing enemy further west. However they had orders to halt, but would they? Officers from top down deliberating on the issue, with the vast majority pushing for a drive to Nanjing. They thought it represented the end objective of the conflict. They would all be very wrong. 

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What happens when a Mormon woman questions her faith—but doesn't walk away entirely? In this week's interview, Olivia Calvert shares her journey of embracing doubts and shifts in belief. Choosing to live Mormonism in her own way, Olivia's path leads her to what she calls “casual discipleship.” While we have explored stories like this before from men in the church, it is rare for an LDS woman to open up about her faith in this way.Topics include:-Purity culture-Faith crises-Church history-Choosing to stay Mormon—on your own terms. If you've ever felt like you don't quite fit the Mormon mold, this story might be exactly what you need to hear. Join us as we talk about the many ways people are navigating Mormonism today.___________________YouTubeMormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:⁠⁠One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠Venmo⁠⁠Our Platforms:⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠Social Media:⁠⁠Insta: @mormstories⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok: @mormonstoriespodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the Discord⁠⁠Contact us:MormonStories@gmail.comPO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117